How to update dependents on PA UC claim after already filing weekly certification?

You need to call the UC service center directly to add dependents. There's no way to do it online after you've submitted your initial application. The dependent credit is worth $5 per week per dependent in PA (up to $8 max), so make sure to keep trying to reach them. The sooner you get it fixed, the better, since they might not backdate the additional amount.

same thing happened to me!!! i had to wait 4 WEEKS to talk to someone at uc!!!! keep calling and maybe try early morning like 7:55am right before they open

To update dependents on an existing claim, you'll need to speak with a UC representative. As others mentioned, phone contact is challenging. Here's the correct process: 1. Call the PA UC service center at 1-888-313-7284 2. When prompted, select the option for "existing claim questions" 3. Have your children's Social Security numbers and birth dates ready 4. You'll need to provide documentation proving they are your dependents 5. The dependent allowance will typically be applied from the date you successfully report them (not retroactive to your initial filing) Keep in mind that PA defines eligible dependents as unmarried children under 18, or under 22 if they're full-time students, or any age if disabled. Stepchildren count if they live with you and you provide more than 50% of their support.

I swear the PA UC system is DELIBERATELY designed to make it impossible to reach anyone!!! I tried for THREE WEEKS last year to update my address after I moved and kept getting busy signals. Then they mailed my UC debit card to my old address and I had to jump through 50 hoops to get a new one. The whole system is broken and nobody cares!!

Have you tried using Claimyr? It helped me get through to a PA UC agent when I was dealing with an issue on my claim. I was in the same boat - couldn't get through on the phone for days. Found this service at claimyr.com and they helped connect me directly to a PA agent. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Definitely saved me a lot of stress and I was able to get my issue fixed in one call.

To clarify about backdating dependent allowances: officially, PA UC will only add dependents from the date you report them. However, if you explain that you tried contacting them immediately after filing and couldn't get through, some reps might make an exception and backdate to your initial claim date. It really depends on the representative you get.

when i got divorced last year i had to update my claim to REMOVE dependents cause my ex got custody and i kept getting busy signals for 2 weeks then my claim got flagged for fraud investigation cause they said i was claiming dependents i didnt have anymore even tho i was TRYING to tell them!! took 2 months to fix! system is so broken

One thing that helped me was sending a message through the PA UC portal. Go to your dashboard, click on "Contact Us" and send a detailed message about needing to add dependents. While they say phone is required for this type of change, I found that sending a message at least created a record of me trying to make the change, which helped when I eventually got through by phone. They were able to see I'd been trying to update my information for weeks.

Did anyone else notice that after the new system update in early 2025, the dependent section is completely missing from the claim summary page? I swear they make these "improvements" that just break everything and make it harder to get basic information. My husband couldn't even SEE if his kids were listed as dependents and had to wait on hold for 3 hours to confirm they were there!

Just to add one more helpful tip: when you do reach a representative, make sure to ask them to email you confirmation that the dependents have been added. Sometimes these updates can take 1-2 benefit weeks to be reflected in your payment amount, so having written confirmation is important in case you need to follow up later.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: I called the PA UC line at 7:45 AM on a Tuesday (seems like Tuesdays have shorter wait times) and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was actually really helpful and added my two kids to my claim. She told me that while they can't officially backdate it, she noted in my file that I had been trying to reach them since my initial filing, which helped when they did a review later. I ended up getting the dependent allowance applied from about 2 weeks after my original claim date instead of from the day I called. Also, make sure you have your kids' SSNs and birth certificates handy - they'll ask for that info right away. Don't give up on the phone calls!

Another strategy that worked for me was calling right at lunch time around 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM. I think a lot of people try early morning or end of day, but midday seemed to have better luck. Also, if you get the busy signal, hang up and try again immediately - don't wait. Sometimes you'll get through on the second or third try within a few minutes. When I finally got through, the representative was able to add my daughter and son (ages 8 and 15) to my claim and explained that I needed to report any changes to their status (like if they turn 18 or start/stop school) during my weekly certifications. The extra $10 per week ($5 per kid) really does help, especially over several months of unemployment. Keep at it - you'll eventually get through!

I had a similar issue last year when I forgot to add my stepson to my claim initially. One thing that really helped was keeping a detailed log of every time I tried to call - dates, times, and what happened (busy signal, disconnected, etc.). When I finally got through after about 10 days of trying, I mentioned this log to the representative and she was much more sympathetic about my situation. She ended up backdating the dependent allowance for 3 weeks instead of just from that day forward. Also, try calling on Wednesdays around 2 PM - that's when I had the most success. The PA UC system is definitely frustrating, but persistence really does pay off. Make sure you have all your documentation ready (birth certificates, SSNs, proof of support if it's a stepchild) so you don't waste time when you do get connected. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! I filed my initial claim about 10 days ago and completely spaced on adding my 12-year-old daughter as a dependent. I've been trying to get through to the UC service center but keep getting those dreaded busy signals. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it's definitely possible to get this fixed, but the phone system is a real nightmare. I'm going to try some of the strategies mentioned here like calling on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, and I love the idea of keeping a detailed log of my attempts. Has anyone had success reaching them through the online messaging system, or is phone really the only way to add dependents? Also, for those who got backdated payments, did you have to provide any specific documentation beyond birth certificates and SSNs?

Just wanted to share my recent success story to give everyone hope! I was in the same situation as many of you - forgot to add my two kids (ages 6 and 14) when I initially filed my PA UC claim back in February. After reading through all the advice in this thread, I decided to try the Tuesday morning strategy that Max mentioned. Called at 7:50 AM yesterday and actually got through after only 20 minutes on hold! The representative was super understanding when I explained I'd been trying to reach them for over a week. She added both my children to my claim and even noted in my file that I had attempted to contact them multiple times since filing. She couldn't promise anything about backdating, but said the notation would help if there's ever a review. The dependent allowance should show up in my next weekly payment. For anyone still trying to get through - don't give up! The Tuesday morning time slot really seemed to work, and having all my kids' info ready (SSNs, birth dates, birth certificates) made the actual call go super smoothly once I got connected.