PA UC backlogged 2020/2021 claim - too late to pursue payment in 2025?

You might still have options, but it depends on a few things. PA UC does have time limitations for appealing decisions, usually 15 days from determination. However, if your claim was never officially denied but just stuck in limbo, you might have grounds to pursue it. You'll need documentation showing you actually filed in 2020-2021 and any correspondence about your claim status. Call the UC service center and specifically ask about pursuing a claim that was never processed from the pandemic period. Be prepared with exact dates, claim numbers, and any confirmation emails you received.

to late honey, they CLOSED all the pandemic stuff last year!!! my cousin tried to get his back pay and they said NO WAY. the govt keeps all that $ now, typical!!!

I was in a similar situation but with my coworker instead of a sister. We both got laid off from the factory when it shut down in 2020, she got her payments but my claim was stuck with an "open issue" for MONTHS! I finally got mine resolved after literally calling 73 times in one day (I kept count lol). When I finally got through, they told me there had been an employer response issue but fixed it on the spot and I got all my backpay. Have you tried using Claimyr to reach someone? It's this service that gets you through to an agent without the endless busy signals. I finally broke down and tried it after weeks of frustration and got connected in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and the site is claimyr.com. Some claims just need a human to look at them to fix whatever glitch is holding them up.

This is tricky. There are technical time limits for appealing determinations (15 days) or filing for backdate requests. HOWEVER, if your claim was truly never processed properly (stuck in pending status without determination), you might have a legitimate case for what's called "agency error" or "administrative breakdown." Step 1: Gather ALL documentation - initial filing confirmation, screenshots of pending status, any emails/letters, records of phone call attempts Step 2: Write a detailed timeline of everything that happened Step 3: Submit a written request for backdated benefits citing "administrative breakdown" Step 4: Be prepared to appeal if denied The legal principle is that if PA UC failed to process your valid claim properly, you shouldn't be penalized for their error. But you'll need strong documentation and persistence.

I don't think this is gonna work out for you honestly. My buddy was in same boat, his claim from 2020 had some verification issue and by the time he tried again in 2022 they told him too bad so sad, time limits expired. The whole UC system is designed to make you give up. They WANT claims to fall through the cracks so they don't have to pay. Your sister was lucky, you weren't, that's how the system works. But hey, prove me wrong!

i had simlar situation where my claim was pending for 8 months in 2021!!! I finally got thru on the phone and guess what?? they found out my employer never responded to their request for info! as soon as a rep manually followed up i got ALL my backpay from when i first filed. so ya it might b worth trying!! do u remember what the pending status actually said? was there an "open issue" or anything specific?

Based on what you've shared so far, I think you have a reasonable case worth pursuing. Here's what I recommend: 1. First, try to access your old claim in the PA UC system. Your claim record should still exist in their database even if it's inactive. 2. If you can't access it online, you'll need to contact UC directly. This will be the hardest part since their phone lines are notoriously difficult. 3. When you reach someone, specifically request an "administrative redetermination" based on agency error - use those exact terms. Explain that your claim was never properly adjudicated despite multiple attempts to contact them. 4. Be prepared to submit a written statement with timeline and all documentation. 5. If they deny your request, immediately request information on how to appeal that decision. While there's no guarantee, PA has had to address many similar cases from the pandemic period where claims fell through the cracks due to the unprecedented volume.

So did you ever get a determination letter at all? Like something saying approved, denied, eligible, ineligible? Or did your claim literally just sit in pending status forever with no actual decision? Those are legally very different situations. If you never got a determination, you could argue the clock never started on your appeal rights.

After reading all the details you've shared, I think you have a legitimate case. Here's the thing - pandemic-era claims were exceptionally chaotic, and PA UC is well aware that many valid claims got stuck in limbo. There's actually been some special handling procedures developed for these exact scenarios. Make sure when you call that you explicitly state: 1. Your claim was filed during COVID but never received determination 2. You made multiple documented attempts to resolve the issue 3. You're requesting a review based on administrative breakdown Be polite but persistent. The first person you speak with might not know the correct procedure, so you may need to ask for a supervisor who handles special case reviews. Good luck!

my mom works for the state (not UC but different department) and she says theres actually a special pandemic backlog team still working on cases from 2020-2021!!! so definitely worth trying!!!!!

I'm dealing with something similar right now! Filed in March 2020, got stuck in "pending review" forever, and just started pursuing it again last month. Here's what I've learned so far: 1. Your claim record is definitely still in their system - I was able to log into my old UC account and see everything from 2020 2. The key is getting to someone who understands pandemic-era claim issues. Regular phone reps might not know the special procedures 3. I found success by calling first thing Monday morning around 8:02 AM - still took 45+ minutes but I got through When I finally talked to someone, they told me there's a specific "COVID Claims Review Unit" that handles these exact cases. They transferred me and I'm now waiting for a callback within 10 business days. The agent said many claims from that period are being successfully resolved, especially ones that were never officially denied. Don't give up! The fact that your sister got benefits in the identical situation is actually strong evidence in your favor. Document everything and be persistent. I'll update if my review comes through!