PA UC active issue holding up payments - how long until resolution?
Just found out there's an 'active issue' flag on my PA unemployment claim and I haven't received a single payment since filing 3 weeks ago. When I log into my UC account, it just shows the issue status with zero explanation about what's actually wrong. Nothing in my dashboard explains the problem! I'm starting to panic about bills piling up. How long does it typically take for PA to resolve these active issues? Is there anything I can do to speed it up besides waiting? This is my first time filing for unemployment and I'm completely lost.
39 comments


Ryan Andre
Active issues can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks to resolve, unfortunately. PA UC is seriously backlogged right now. The system doesn't always tell you what the issue is, but common ones include employment verification, separation issues (they're checking why you left your job), or identity verification problems. Have you received any mail or emails from them requesting additional information?
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Nora Bennett
•8 WEEKS?? That's insane! I haven't received ANY communication from them asking for more info. How am I supposed to fix something if they won't even tell me what's wrong? Should I just keep filing my weekly claims even though I'm not getting paid?
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Lauren Zeb
The exact same thing happened to me in January! My claim showed an active issue for over a month with no explanation. I tried calling every single day but couldn't get through - always busy signals or disconnects. Finally got a determination letter saying they needed to verify my last day of work with my employer. Total nightmare. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait though!
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Daniel Washington
•Yes, ALWAYS continue filing your weekly claims even when there's an active issue. If you stop filing during the waiting period, you'll lose those weeks permanently even after your issue gets resolved.
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Aurora Lacasse
check ur email spam folder thats where my notice went
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Nora Bennett
•Good idea! Just checked all folders including spam but nothing from UC there either. This is so frustrating!
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Anthony Young
I went through this last month and wasted 5 weeks of my life trying to get answers. After hundreds of calls and never getting through, I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a live agent within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent was able to tell me exactly what my active issue was (they needed additional employer info) and how to resolve it. Got my payments a week later. Totally worth it after weeks of frustration.
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Charlotte White
•is that service legit? sounds like one of those scams trying to get ur personal info
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Anthony Young
•It's absolutely legitimate. They don't access your UC account or anything like that - they just help you get through PA's phone system to reach a real person. You still talk directly with the actual UC representative yourself.
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Admin_Masters
DONT bother calling!!!! I had active issue for MONTHS and wasted hours calling everyday. They NEVER answer!!! The system is DESIGNED to make u give up!!! The government doesnt care about real people!!!!!
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Ryan Andre
•While the frustration is understandable, there are steps you can take. Try emailing your state representative's constituent services office - they often have special channels to help with UC issues. Also, check if your regional CareerLink office offers in-person UC assistance.
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Daniel Washington
Active issues can stem from various factors that require investigation. Common causes include: 1. Income verification discrepancies 2. Questions about your job separation (quit vs. laid off) 3. Work search compliance issues 4. Identity verification needs 5. Missing or incomplete information Typical resolution timeframes are 3-6 weeks currently, though some complex cases take longer. While waiting, ensure you: - Continue filing weekly claims without interruption - Check your dashboard AND postal mail daily (some notices only come via USPS) - Upload any requested documents promptly through your dashboard - Make sure your contact information is current If you urgently need to speak with someone, try calling precisely at 7:59am when the lines open or during the last hour before closing when call volume sometimes decreases.
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Nora Bennett
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I'm guessing it might be related to my job separation since I took a severance package. I'll make sure to keep filing weekly and try calling at the times you suggested.
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Aurora Lacasse
the PA uc ppl never tell u wat the issue is they just expect u to guess lol
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Lauren Zeb
•So true! And then when you finally get through to someone, they act like you should have known all along what documents they needed! 🙄
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Ryan Andre
Just to make sure you're covering all bases: have you checked your Messaging Center in your UC portal? Sometimes notifications appear there but don't generate emails. Also, verify if you completed your identity verification through ID.me - many active issues are related to incomplete identity verification.
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Nora Bennett
•Just double-checked my Message Center and there's nothing there except the confirmation that I filed my initial claim. And yes, I did complete the ID.me verification during my application. That part went smoothly. This waiting game is driving me crazy!
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Nora Bennett
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone on the phone yesterday! Turns out the active issue was because my employer contested my eligibility saying I voluntarily quit (I didn't - it was a position elimination). They're going to conduct a fact-finding interview next week. At least now I know what's happening. For anyone else dealing with this, keep trying to call and document EVERYTHING.
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Aurora St.Pierre
•That's great news that you finally got through! The fact-finding interview is actually a good sign - it means they're actively working on your case. Make sure to gather any documentation you have about the position elimination (emails, termination letter, etc.) before your interview. Also, if you have any coworkers who can verify the circumstances of your departure, get their contact info ready in case they need witnesses. Good luck with the interview!
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TommyKapitz
•So glad you finally got answers! That's exactly what happened to my brother - his former employer tried to claim he quit when he was actually laid off due to budget cuts. During your fact-finding interview, be very specific about the circumstances and use exact dates if you can remember them. Having any written documentation (even text messages about the layoff) can really help your case. Wishing you the best outcome!
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Oscar O'Neil
•Wow, what a relief that you finally got through and found out what was going on! It's so frustrating when employers try to contest legitimate claims like that. For the fact-finding interview, definitely have your severance paperwork ready if you still have it - that should clearly show it was a position elimination, not a voluntary quit. Also write down a timeline of events beforehand so you can clearly explain what happened. The interviewer will ask specific questions about your last day, who told you about the elimination, etc. You've got this!
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Lukas Fitzgerald
•That's such a relief that you got through! Employer contests are unfortunately common but totally winnable when you have the facts on your side. Since you mentioned taking a severance package, that's actually really strong evidence that it was an involuntary separation - companies don't usually offer severance for voluntary quits. Make sure to bring that documentation to your fact-finding interview. Also, if you have any emails or written communication about the position being eliminated, gather those up too. The fact that they're doing the interview means your case is moving forward, which is great news after weeks of waiting!
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Gabriel Freeman
Congratulations on finally getting through and getting some clarity! It's so typical that employers try to contest claims like this. Since you mentioned you took a severance package, that's actually huge evidence in your favor - companies almost never offer severance for voluntary resignations. Make sure you bring all your severance documentation to the fact-finding interview, along with any emails or written notices about the position elimination. The fact that they're scheduling an interview is actually a positive step - it means they're actively investigating rather than just letting it sit. Document everything from the interview too, and don't let them rush you through your explanation. You've got solid evidence on your side!
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Dmitry Smirnov
•This is such encouraging news! I'm dealing with a similar active issue right now (going on week 4) and your update gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. The severance package detail is key - that's basically proof positive that this wasn't a voluntary quit. For your interview, you might also want to jot down the specific reason they gave for the position elimination (budget cuts, restructuring, etc.) since they'll likely ask about that. It sounds like you have all the right documentation to prove your case. Thanks for sharing the update - it really helps those of us still stuck in limbo to know there's light at the end of the tunnel!
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Zara Ahmed
I'm so sorry you're going through this - the uncertainty is the worst part! I went through something similar last year and it took about 5 weeks to resolve. A few things that helped me: 1) Check your regular mail daily - sometimes they send important notices only by postal mail, not email, 2) Try calling right at 7:59 AM when the lines open - I had better luck then than during peak hours, and 3) Consider reaching out to your state representative's office for help - they have caseworkers who can sometimes get answers when regular channels fail. The good news is that once it's resolved, you'll get back pay for all the weeks you were eligible. Hang in there and definitely keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting!
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Chloe Anderson
•This is really helpful advice! I especially hadn't thought about contacting my state rep's office - that's a great tip. I've been checking email obsessively but you're right that I should be watching for regular mail too. It's reassuring to hear that back pay covers all the eligible weeks once things get sorted out. I'm definitely going to try the 7:59 AM calling strategy tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to share what worked for you - it gives me hope that I'll eventually get through this mess!
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Cole Roush
I've been through this exact situation twice now - once in 2022 and again last year. The lack of transparency from PA UC is incredibly frustrating, but here's what I learned from my experiences: First, active issues are often related to employer verification or separation circumstances, especially if there's any ambiguity about whether you quit or were laid off. Second, while waiting times are unfortunately long (mine took 4 weeks the first time and 6 weeks the second), the key is to stay persistent with documentation. Keep screenshots of your claim status, save all emails, and definitely continue filing weekly claims. One thing that helped me was creating a simple log of every action I took - calls attempted, emails sent, documents uploaded - which became useful when I finally spoke to a representative. Also, don't just rely on the online portal - sometimes determination letters only come via postal mail. The waiting is agonizing when bills are piling up, but most legitimate claims do eventually get resolved with back pay included.
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Zainab Ahmed
•This is really solid advice from someone who's been through it multiple times! Creating a log of all actions taken is brilliant - I wish I had thought of that from the beginning. It's reassuring to hear that legitimate claims do get resolved eventually, even though the waiting period is brutal. The point about determination letters only coming via postal mail is important too - I've been so focused on checking my online portal that I might have missed something in regular mail. Thanks for sharing your experience and the practical tips. It helps to know that persistence and good documentation really do make a difference in the end!
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Zoe Papanikolaou
I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed 4 weeks ago and still showing an active issue with zero explanation. It's so stressful not knowing what's wrong or how to fix it! Reading through everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though. I've been calling every day but can't get through, so I'm going to try that 7:59 AM strategy someone mentioned. Also going to double-check my regular mail since apparently some notices only come that way. The waiting is killing me financially but it's good to know that most people eventually get it resolved with back pay. Thanks everyone for sharing your stories - it helps to know we're not alone in this frustrating process!
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Connor Gallagher
•I totally feel your pain - being in week 4 of waiting with no answers is so stressful! The 7:59 AM calling trick really does seem to work better based on what others have shared here. Also, definitely check your physical mailbox daily - I learned the hard way that PA UC sometimes sends critical notices only via regular mail. One thing that's helped me stay somewhat sane during this process is setting up a simple routine: check mail, try calling once in the morning, file weekly claim, then try to focus on other things rather than obsessing over it all day. The uncertainty is the worst part, but seeing everyone's success stories here gives me hope that we'll both get through this eventually. Hang in there!
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Malik Thompson
I'm dealing with a similar active issue situation right now (week 2) and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key things are: keep filing weekly claims no matter what, check both email AND physical mail daily, try calling right when they open at 7:59 AM, and document everything. The uncertainty is definitely the hardest part when you're worried about bills. @Nora Bennett - so glad you finally got answers about your situation! The employer contest issue seems pretty common unfortunately. For anyone else waiting, it's reassuring to see that legitimate claims do eventually get resolved with back pay. Has anyone had luck with emailing their state representative's office like someone mentioned? I'm considering trying that route if I can't get through by phone this week.
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Mikayla Davison
•Yes, contacting your state rep's office can actually be really effective! I tried it when I was stuck in a similar situation last year and their constituent services team was able to get answers within a few days that I couldn't get after weeks of calling. They have direct contacts with UC supervisors and can often escalate cases that are stuck in the system. Most rep offices have online forms where you can submit your issue, or you can call their local office directly. Just make sure to have your UC claim details ready - they'll need your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and a brief description of the problem. It's definitely worth trying if the regular phone lines aren't working out. The worst they can say is they can't help, but in my experience they're usually pretty responsive to UC issues since so many constituents are dealing with similar problems.
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Malik Robinson
I'm in a similar boat - filed my claim 5 weeks ago and still have an "active issue" with no explanation whatsoever. The stress of not knowing what's wrong while bills keep coming is unreal! After reading through everyone's experiences here, I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy (7:59 AM) and also reach out to my state representative's office like @Mikayla Davison suggested. It's somewhat comforting to know this is such a widespread problem, though frustrating that PA UC's system is so broken. For those who eventually got through - did you find that having all your employment documentation ready (pay stubs, termination letters, etc.) helped speed up the resolution once you finally spoke to someone? I want to make sure I'm prepared when I eventually get through!
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Keisha Brown
•Absolutely! Having all your documentation organized ahead of time makes a huge difference once you finally get through to someone. I'd recommend gathering: termination/layoff letter, final paystubs, any severance paperwork, emails about your job ending, and your employer's contact info. When I finally got my call through, the rep was able to resolve my issue in about 10 minutes because I had everything ready to go. Also, write down a timeline of your last few weeks of work - they often ask specific questions about your final day, who told you about the separation, etc. The 7:59 AM calling trick really works - that's exactly how I got through after weeks of busy signals. Good luck and don't give up! Five weeks is frustrating but you're probably close to getting answers.
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Connor Byrne
I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now - filed 6 weeks ago and still stuck with an "active issue" status. The complete lack of communication from PA UC is maddening! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both reassuring and frustrating. It helps to know I'm not alone, but it's crazy that this is such a widespread problem. I've tried calling hundreds of times with no luck, but I'm definitely going to try that 7:59 AM strategy everyone keeps mentioning. Also going to contact my state rep's office after seeing the success stories here. @Nora Bennett - congrats on finally getting through and finding out it was an employer contest! That gives me hope that persistence really does pay off eventually. For anyone else still waiting, let's keep supporting each other through this broken system!
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Carmen Lopez
•Six weeks is absolutely brutal - I can't imagine the stress you're dealing with right now! The 7:59 AM calling strategy really seems to be the golden ticket based on everyone's success stories here. I'm also stuck in this nightmare (week 3 for me) and this thread has been a lifesaver for both practical tips and just knowing we're not alone in this mess. The state rep office route sounds promising too - definitely worth trying multiple approaches since PA UC's regular channels are basically useless. Hang in there and keep us posted on any progress! We're all rooting for each other to get through this broken system.
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Liam O'Donnell
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - the waiting without any clear explanation is absolutely maddening! I went through something similar last year and it took about 7 weeks to resolve, but I did eventually get all my back pay. A few things that helped me: 1) Set up a daily routine of checking both online messages AND physical mail - sometimes critical notices only come via regular postal mail, 2) Try calling exactly at 7:59 AM when lines open - I had much better success then, and 3) Keep a simple log of every action you take (calls, emails, documents uploaded) - it became really useful when I finally got through to someone. Also, since you mentioned taking a severance package, that's actually strong evidence in your favor that this was an involuntary separation, not a quit. Companies rarely offer severance for voluntary resignations. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - you don't want to lose any weeks once this gets resolved. The uncertainty is brutal when bills are piling up, but most legitimate claims do get resolved eventually!
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QuantumQuester
•Thank you so much for the detailed advice and encouragement! Seven weeks sounds awful but it's reassuring to know you got your back pay eventually. I'm definitely going to start keeping a log of everything I do - that's such a smart idea that I hadn't thought of. The point about severance being evidence of involuntary separation is really helpful too since I've been worried about how that might look. I'll make sure to emphasize that during any interviews. The 7:59 AM calling strategy seems to be the consensus here so I'm setting my alarm tonight! It's so helpful to have this community sharing real experiences instead of just the useless official website info. Thanks for taking the time to share what worked for you!
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Liam Sullivan
I'm in the exact same situation right now - filed 4 weeks ago and have been stuck with an "active issue" status with absolutely zero explanation. The anxiety of not knowing what's wrong while bills keep piling up is overwhelming! This thread has been incredibly helpful though. I'm going to try that 7:59 AM calling strategy everyone keeps mentioning since regular calling times have been completely useless. Also planning to contact my state representative's office based on the success stories shared here. @Nora Bennett - so glad you finally got answers! The employer contest situation gives me some insight into what might be happening with my claim too. It's frustrating that we have to become detectives to figure out what PA UC actually needs from us, but at least this community is sharing real solutions. Going to start keeping a detailed log of all my attempts and gather all my employment documentation so I'm ready when I finally get through. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - knowing I'm not alone in this broken system really helps!
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