Do I lose money during PA UC waiting week? Can I get that payment?

The waiting week is essentially a one-week period at the beginning of your benefit year when you qualify for benefits but don't receive payment. It's like a deductible in insurance. Pennsylvania reinstated the waiting week requirement after suspending it during COVID. You won't receive payment for that specific week, but all eligible weeks after that will be paid normally.

ya they keep the first week. happened to me too. its stupid but thats how they do it. you'll get paid starting on your second week if you keep filing

i had the EXACT same problem last month!!!! its so frustrating bc nobody tells u this when u apply!! they just take a whole week of money when ur already broke and desperate. the system is DESIGNED to screw us over!!!!

If you're having issues with your claim or need clarification about the waiting week, you might want to try calling PA UC directly. However, we all know how impossible it is to get through on their phones. I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get through to a live agent without spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I was skeptical but it actually worked for me when I had an issue with my benefit calculation.

To clarify on the work search requirements someone mentioned above - PA requires you to complete 2 work search activities each week (not 3). Work search activities can include: 1. Applying for jobs 2. Taking a civil service test 3. Creating a profile on PA CareerLink 4. Attending job fairs or workshops 5. Posting a resume on job listing sites But yes, unfortunately the waiting week is mandatory and you won't receive payment for it. Make sure you still file for that week though, or it could delay your future payments.

One important thing to note - even though you don't get paid for the waiting week, you still MUST file a claim for that week. The system needs to process that you were eligible during the waiting week for your future payments to process correctly. If you didn't file for the waiting week, you should do so immediately (if the system still allows it).

my sister works at the unemployment office (not in PA tho) and she says the waiting week is basically free money for the state. they collect interest on all that money they hold onto from thousands of people. system is rigged man

Thanks everyone for the explanations. Still frustrated but at least now I understand what's happening. Going to adjust my budget for next month. Fingers crossed the rest of my payments come through smoothly!