PA UC approved back pay weeks but still waiting on separation determination - good sign?

This is actually a fairly common situation with PA UC. Being approved to claim back weeks doesn't necessarily mean your entire claim is approved, but it's certainly not a bad sign. The system is processing your eligibility for those weeks separately from your separation issue. They're letting you file for those weeks so that IF your separation determination comes back in your favor, you won't have to do all those weekly claims at once. I'd suggest filing the weekly certifications for those back weeks right away. That way if your separation issue is resolved positively, you'll get paid faster. If the separation determination goes against you, you won't receive payment even if you've certified for those weeks.

omg same thing happened 2 me last month!!! i claimed all my back weeks (like 8 of them) and then like 2 weeks later got a letter saying my employer said i quit so i was denied evrything. such bs bc i was actually laid off. make sure u have proof of how u left ur job!!

I went through exactly this in January 2025. The separation determination is the big decision that affects everything. From my experience, if your employer contested it, you should prepare documentation showing why you qualify. For a layoff, any documentation showing it wasn't just you being let go but part of a larger reduction would help. While you wait, definitely file those back week claims as suggested above. Just know that approval to file back weeks is a procedural step, not an indication of final approval. The determination letter is what matters most, and those are taking anywhere from 4-8 weeks right now due to backlogs.

To answer your follow-up question, separation determinations are currently taking about 4-8 weeks in Pennsylvania, sometimes longer if there are complications or if they need to gather additional information. Since your employer contested it, expect it to be on the longer end of that timeline. It might help to upload any documentation you have that supports your case through your dashboard. Things like layoff notices, emails discussing reductions in workforce, or communications with HR can all strengthen your case.

I was in a similar situation back in March. Kept getting the runaround when calling PA UC about my separation determination. Could never get through to anyone who could actually help me. Finally, I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to a real UC rep in about 15 minutes. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The rep I spoke with was able to expedite my determination since it had been pending for over 6 weeks. Got my determination letter 4 days later (thankfully approved) and then payment for all my back weeks 2 days after that. Saved me from getting evicted honestly. Their website is claimyr.com if you're interested.

Yes, it definitely worked for me! I was skeptical too since I'd already spent hours trying to call myself. But I was desperate and it got me through to an actual person who could see my claim and help. The rep explained that contested separations take longer but having documentation ready when you talk to them can help speed things up.

Gonna go against the grain here... my sister works for the unemployment office (not in PA though) and she always says that them letting you file for back weeks means NOTHING about your actual eligibility. It's just procedure. Don't count on that money until you get the actual determination letter saying you're approved. Sorry to be a downer but just being realistic!

THIS SYSTEM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN!!! I had to wait 11 WEEKS for my separation determination while watching my savings disappear. The employer can say whatever they want and delay your benefits for months. Then PA UC backlog is so bad they don't even look at your evidence half the time. My determination letter had FACTS WRONG that I had submitted evidence to disprove. Had to appeal and wait ANOTHER 6 weeks!!! The whole system is designed to make people give up.

Just to add some clarity here - while separation determinations can take time, the PA UC system has improved somewhat since last year. The current average wait is about 5-6 weeks for contested separations. Yes, it's still too long, but not quite the 11 weeks some experienced during the peak backlogs. My advice is to: 1. File all back weeks immediately 2. Upload any documentation supporting your case 3. If you haven't heard anything after 5 weeks, try contacting them 4. Keep filing your weekly claims while waiting for the determination 5. Document all your job search activities (2 per week minimum) And don't lose hope. Many contested claims are still approved when the evidence supports the claimant's case.

I'm going through something similar right now! Filed my claim 4 weeks ago and just got approved to claim back pay for 3 weeks, but still waiting on my separation determination. My former employer is also contesting it (they're claiming misconduct when I was actually part of a department closure). From what I've read in other threads here, the back pay approval is mostly procedural - it just means the system is ready to process those weeks IF your separation gets approved. But like others said, definitely file those weekly certifications right away. I did mine yesterday and it felt good to at least make some progress while waiting. Has anyone here had success appealing if the initial determination goes against you? I'm trying to prepare for all possibilities since my employer has been pretty aggressive about fighting UC claims from our whole department.