PA UC claim issue after layoff-vacation-layoff pattern - system won't let me file for specific week
I'm seriously confused with my PA unemployment situation. I was laid off at the beginning of July, got my benefits no problem. Then I went back for a week but worked reduced hours (only 18 hours) and claimed partial benefits. Then got laid off AGAIN the third week of July. The system made me reopen my claim, which I did, but now it's completely blocking me from claiming the week of July 15th! It's only letting me file for last week, but I actually WORKED last week so I don't need benefits for that period! Is there any way to file for that missing week in the middle? The claim reopening seems to have messed everything up. Can I backdate or file for a specific week somehow? This new UC system is driving me INSANE! Has anyone dealt with something similar?
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Alexander Evans
You're dealing with what's called a 'break in claim series' problem. When you reopen a claim, the system sometimes skips weeks that should be available. You need to call the PA UC service center and explicitly ask them to 'add a missing week' to your claim. They can manually add that week of July 15th to your filing options. Don't just keep trying online - it won't show up.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thanks for explaining what's happening! I've been trying to call the service center for 3 days straight but can't get through. Just busy signals or the automated message saying they're experiencing high call volume. Is there another way to reach them besides calling?
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Evelyn Martinez
i had same issue last month!!! got layed off came back and layed off again. u have to file tht missing week by phone u cant do it online bc the system is stupid af
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Benjamin Carter
•OP should probably also check their dashboard to see if there are any open issues related to this. Sometimes when you have a break in claiming and reopen too soon, the system flags it as potential fraud. If there's an open issue, that could be blocking the ability to file for that week too.
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Maya Lewis
I had this exact situation in April after returning from medical leave - the trick is you need to speak directly with an examiner. Regular call center staff can sometimes help but often they just put notes on your account that never get acted on. After 3 weeks of trying, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's a service that gets you through to PA UC without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 I was skeptical but it actually worked for me same day. The agent was able to manually add my missing week and I could file for it right after the call. They can also check if you have any open issues on your claim that might be causing problems.
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Ruby Garcia
•Never heard of this service before! Did you have to explain the whole situation again to the UC agent or did they already have notes from your previous attempts to contact them?
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Maya Lewis
•I had to explain everything, but the agent saw all my claim history once I verified my identity. They could see the gap in my claim weeks right away. Just make sure you have your claim dates and employment details ready when you call - that speeds things up.
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Isaac Wright
THE PA SYSTEM IS COMPLETE GARBAGE SINCE THE "UPGRADE"!!!! I had FIVE WEEKS of benefits that I couldn't claim because of their stupid system errors. When you have a break between filing weeks, it creates all kinds of glitches. I had to file an appeal and wait 6 WEEKS to get my money!!! The system is DESIGNED to make it hard to get your benefits even though we PAID INTO THE SYSTEM with our taxes!!!
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Lucy Taylor
•While the system definitely has issues, unemployment insurance in Pennsylvania is actually funded by employer taxes, not employee taxes. The frustration is understandable though - the system does seem to struggle with handling irregular claim patterns like the OP's situation.
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Benjamin Carter
Just to clarify a few things for you: 1. When you reopen a claim, the system starts you at the week you reopened, not retroactively 2. For that missing week (July 15th), you need to speak with an examiner who can manually add it 3. Check your dashboard for any "open issues" - these might be blocking your claim 4. Make sure your work search activities are properly documented for that week The 2025 filing system does allow for backdating in certain circumstances, but you absolutely have to speak with a UC representative. They'll need to verify your employment status during that period and confirm why you were unable to file for that specific week. Based on PA UC regulations, you should be eligible to claim that week as long as you were unemployed and available for work during that period.
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Ruby Garcia
•This is super helpful, thank you! I don't see any open issues on my dashboard, just the weeks I can claim (which doesn't include the July 15th week). I did maintain my work search activities that week with 3 job applications. I'll keep trying to reach a representative. Does anyone know the best time to call?
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Connor Murphy
this happened to me too last year when i got laid off from construction then worked like 4 days then got laid off again lol. try calling right when they open at 8am thats when i finally got thru
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Alexander Evans
Just wanted to follow up on one thing - make absolutely sure you're correctly documenting your work search activities each week, even for that missing week. Under the current PA rules, you need to complete at least two qualifying work search activities per week. Without those, even if they add the week back, your claim could be denied.
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Ruby Garcia
•Thanks for mentioning this! I've been keeping track of my job applications in a spreadsheet with dates, company names, positions, and how I applied. I have 3 applications for that missing week. Hopefully that's enough documentation when I finally reach someone.
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Evelyn Martinez
wait did u file for partial benifits during ur vacation week? cuz tha might b whats messin things up. they mite think u were still attached to ur job
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Ruby Garcia
•I didn't take an actual vacation - I meant I had a week where I was called back to work, but only part-time (the vacation was for my employer, not me - sorry for the confusion). I reported the 18 hours I worked that week and got partial benefits. Then got laid off again the following week.
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Lucy Taylor
Based on your situation, this is actually a common issue with the PA UC system when there are multiple status changes in a short period. It's called a "broken claim series" in their terminology. Here's what you need to know: 1. The system struggles with rapid transitions between full unemployment, partial employment, and back to unemployment 2. When you reopened your claim, it created a new biweekly filing schedule starting from that point forward, essentially "orphaning" the previous week 3. PA UC representatives can manually add this week back into your filing schedule, but only if you speak with them directly 4. Your eligibility for that week remains intact as long as you met all requirements (available for work, conducting work search, etc.) 5. There is a 6-week window to file for any missed weeks from the Sunday of the week in question Your best course of action is definitely to speak with a representative as soon as possible, as you're approaching the end of that window for the July 15th week.
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Ruby Garcia
•This is so helpful - thank you! I didn't realize there was a 6-week window, so I need to get this resolved ASAP. It's just so frustrating that I literally can't get through on the phone no matter what time I call or how many times I try.
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