Confused about PA UC filing steps - did my husband apply correctly?

Don't worry too much - the PA UC system can be confusing at first! If he got a confirmation number and PIN, that means his initial application went through. Here's what happens next: 1. He should receive something in the mail within 7-10 days (either an approval or request for more info) 2. He NEEDS to file weekly claims starting this Sunday, even before being approved 3. He must complete and log at least 2 work search activities each week The work search requirement is super important - many people miss this and lose benefits. Also make sure he keeps his PIN safe, he'll need it for all weekly filings. Let me know if you have any other questions!

we went thru this 2 months ago... the system is a nightmare!! make sure he calls them if he doesnt get that letter in 10 days cause they "lost" my husbands application twice!! smh

I recently went through this same headache with PA unemployment. One tip nobody told me: keep detailed records of EVERYTHING. Screenshots of confirmations, call logs when you try to reach them, work search activities, etc. The system lost half my information and then tried to deny my claim saying I didn't provide documentation that I absolutely did submit. It's hard enough being unemployed without fighting the system designed to help you. For work search, your husband needs to keep a log of at least 2 job search activities each week using their online system. Applying to jobs definitely counts, but so does updating his resume, attending job fairs, creating profiles on job sites, etc.

sounds like he did it right. pin and confirmation = succesful application. just gotta wait now but start weekly claims sunday like everyone said. they might give him an 'open issue' status for a while thats normal

I had the same problem trying to figure out PA unemployment for my wife last year. If your husband needs to talk to someone at UC about his claim (which he probably will at some point), I discovered a service called Claimyr that actually gets you through to a live agent instead of busy signals. Saved us weeks of frustration - their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Just mentioning it because I wasted so much time trying to reach someone before finding this. The most important thing right now though is making sure he files those weekly claims starting Sunday!

To answer your questions: 1. Online job applications absolutely count as work search activities 2. PA UC primarily communicates through regular mail, but he should also get email notifications if he provided an email address during registration 3. "Open issue" just means they're reviewing something on the claim before approval - very common and usually resolves within 2-3 weeks The most common mistake new claimants make is forgetting to file their weekly certifications, so make sure he logs in every week (Sunday through Friday) to file, even while waiting for the initial determination. Also, once approved, benefits are paid via the PA Money Network debit card unless he sets up direct deposit.

Open issue could mean ANYTHING from a simple verification to a major problem! My open issue took 7 WEEKS to resolve and I almost lost my apartment waiting!! The system is BROKEN! Make sure your husband calls EVERY DAY until he gets through to someone!

tell ur hubby to check his dashboard every day for messages too. sometimes they ask for more info there and dont send mail and if u miss it they deny u

@confused123 - Yes, Claimyr definitely works. I was skeptical too, but after spending hours getting busy signals trying to call PA UC the normal way, it connected me to an agent in about 20 minutes. Totally worth it for getting my claim unstuck. The "monetarily ineligible" issue usually means they're missing wage information from one of your employers - that's exactly what happened to my wife.

One more thing I forgot to mention - make sure your husband's identity verification is complete. PA uses ID.me now, and sometimes people miss that step. If the system is asking him to verify his identity through ID.me, he needs to complete that before his claim can move forward. It should be clear on his dashboard if this is needed.

I went through this exact same situation with my brother last year when he got laid off from his construction job. The stress is totally understandable! From what you described, it sounds like your husband did everything right - getting the confirmation number and PIN means his application was successfully submitted. A few things that helped us navigate the process: - He should definitely start filing weekly claims this Sunday as others mentioned, even before getting approved - Keep that PIN somewhere super safe - write it down and maybe take a photo of it too - The work search requirement is 2 activities per week, and yes, online job applications count - Check his dashboard daily for any messages or requests for additional info The waiting is the hardest part, but hang in there! Most people get their determination letter within 7-10 days. If it takes longer than 2 weeks, that's when I'd start getting more proactive about contacting them. You've got this! 💪