Is it better to file a new PA UC claim online or by phone in 2025?

Filing ONLINE is definitely the better option for new PA UC claims. I filed online back in January and it took me about 30 minutes to complete. The system walks you through each section step by step, and you can save your progress if you need to gather more information. Just make sure you have: - Your Social Security number - Employment history for the last 18 months (employer names, addresses, phone numbers) - Reason for separation from each job - Your bank account info for direct deposit (or you'll get the Money Network card) The online system is available 24/7, unlike the phone system which has limited hours. Plus you get an immediate confirmation number when you submit.

i did mine online and it was ok but i forgot to add one of my jobs and now im stuk trying to get someone on the phone to fix it lol so just double check everything before you submit

Having helped dozens of people with their PA UC claims, I strongly recommend filing online for these reasons: 1. Documentation - you can print/save each screen as you go 2. Accuracy - you can verify information before submitting 3. Time efficiency - no hold times 4. Record keeping - online confirmation and claim number immediately However, if any of these apply to you, consider calling instead: - You have military service in the past 18 months - You worked in multiple states - You have limited English proficiency (translation services available by phone) - You have no internet access or computer skills If you do file online and encounter issues afterward, getting through on the phone can be challenging. The service Claimyr (claimyr.com) can help you get through to a live agent without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

When I filed my claim back in February I tried calling first and gave up after being on hold for 2.5 hours!! Did it online that night and it was processed within a week. Just make sure you have all your employment info ready because the system times out if you take too long between sections.

The real trick is doing it online but then IMMEDIATELY starting your weekly claims the Sunday after you apply. Don't wait for an approval letter or anything. So many people miss this and then have to call in to backdate claims which is a whole other nightmare. Also watch out for the job search requirements - you need to do at least 2 work search activities each week and log them when you file your weekly certification. They're actually checking these now unlike a few years ago.

I had a weird situation last year where I tried filing online but kept getting an error at the final submission. Turned out I had an old claim from 5 years ago that somehow caused a system conflict. Had to call in to resolve it. So I think online is better for straightforward claims but phone might be necessary for unusual situations. The problem is you won't know if your situation is unusual until you try online first lol

It actually depends on your specific situation. If you have a simple claim history (only worked for 1-2 employers in PA), then online is faster. If you worked for multiple employers, worked in different states, or have special circumstances like a union job with recall rights, then calling might actually be better because they can address those nuances immediately. Just a heads up - regardless of how you file, be prepared for possible identity verification through ID.me. This is a relatively new requirement and catches some people off guard.

After seeing these responses I tried using Claimyr this morning because my claim has been stuck for weeks and HOLY CRAP IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!! Got through to a real person in about 10 minutes who fixed my issue!!! Worth every penny because I was about to lose my mind with the busy signals and disconnects!!!

As someone who just went through this process in December, I'd say go with online but have a backup plan. The online system worked fine for me - took about 45 minutes because I had to dig up some old employer info. The key is having everything organized beforehand so you don't hit those timeout issues people mentioned. One thing I wish someone had told me: take screenshots of every page as you go through the process, especially the final confirmation screen. When I had a question about my claim status later, having those screenshots saved me from having to call in. Also, if you're filing now in March, you're actually in a good spot timing-wise since it's not peak season like it was during COVID or right after the holidays when everyone's getting laid off. The system should be running smoother. Good luck with your claim! Construction work can be tough with the seasonal ups and downs, but at least PA UC is there to help bridge the gap.

I filed online last month and it was pretty straightforward once I got organized. Here's what worked for me: Before starting, I gathered ALL my paperwork first: - W2s and pay stubs from last 18 months - Exact dates of employment for each job - Employer contact info (some smaller construction companies don't have websites so I had to call to get their full addresses) - My direct deposit info The whole process took about an hour because I kept having to look up details, but that was my fault for not being prepared. The system itself was pretty user-friendly - just read each question carefully and don't rush. One tip: If you get kicked out or the page times out, don't panic. You can log back in and it should save most of your progress. Happened to me once but I didn't lose everything like I thought I would. Since you're in construction too, make sure you have your union info ready if you're union, and be clear about whether you're laid off seasonally or permanently. That distinction matters for your claim type. The confirmation email came right away and I started getting my weekly certifications the following Sunday. First payment hit my account about 10 days after filing.

I filed my PA UC claim online just a few weeks ago and it went pretty smoothly overall. The key things that helped me: 1. I did it during off-peak hours (around 10 PM on a Tuesday) - seemed like the system was less busy 2. Had all my employment docs ready in a folder beforehand 3. Used Chrome browser with pop-up blockers disabled The whole thing took about 35 minutes. One small hiccup was that it couldn't verify one of my previous employers automatically, so I had to upload a copy of my W2 for that job. But the system told me exactly what to do. I was nervous about the phone vs online debate too, but honestly the online system has gotten a lot better. Just make sure you're on a stable internet connection and don't have a bunch of other tabs open that might slow things down. Got my confirmation number immediately and started my weekly certifications that Sunday like others mentioned. First payment showed up 8 days later via direct deposit. For what it's worth, I think your coworkers who had bad experiences might have been dealing with the older system or filing during peak times when servers get overloaded. Give online a shot first - you can always call if you run into real problems.