PA UC claim reversal taking forever - regular UC not paying off PUA overpayment since 2020

This exact thing happened to me! My original claim was from June 2023, and I'm STILL waiting for them to process my regular UC to offset the PUA overpayment. It's been 5 months for me. The systems are completely messed up. Every time I call they tell me "it's in the queue" and "someone will look at it eventually." Meanwhile, I'm getting threatening letters about the PUA overpayment even though it's not my fault! The best advice I can give is to keep detailed notes of every single conversation. Names, ID numbers, what was promised, dates, times. This has helped me when I've had to reference previous calls. Also, try calling right when they open at 8am - I've had slightly better luck getting through then.

omg this is ridiculas!! the same thing is hapning to me but its only been 2 months for me. they told me that its gonna be like 6-8 months wait time bcuz of "backlog" or something?? how can they just leave ppl hanging like this??? its not fair that we get punished for THEIR mistakes!

I work with UC issues frequently, and unfortunately this cross-system problem between regular UC and PUA is quite common. The issue stems from the fact that these were two separate systems created during the pandemic, and they were never properly integrated. Here's what you need to do: 1. File an official appeal of the PUA overpayment. This buys you time and puts a hold on collections. 2. Request a "combined issue" hearing where both the PUA overpayment and your regular UC eligibility can be addressed simultaneously. 3. Submit a "Request for Reconsideration" form specifically citing Section 804(b) of the PA UC Law regarding non-fault overpayments. 4. Specifically request a "Cross-Program Offset" in writing through your dashboard messaging system. The regular channels often don't resolve these cases efficiently because most agents don't have authority to process cross-program adjustments. You need to get this elevated to a claims examiner with multi-system access.

I had a simmilar situation last year and the only way I finally got thru was using Claimyr. It got me connected to a UC rep in like 15 minutes when I'd been trying for weeks. The rep I talked to was actually able to flag my case for priority review because it had been sitting for so long. Worth the money for sure. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and sign up at claimyr.com

I actually managed to get my cross-program issue resolved, but it took threatening legal action. After 9 months of waiting, I sent a certified letter to the UC Office stating that I would be filing a complaint with the PA Attorney General's Office for administrative negligence if my case wasn't resolved within 30 days. Magically, two weeks later, my regular UC was processed and applied against the PUA overpayment. The key was sending the letter to the UC Program Director for your region (not just the general office), and citing specific sections of Pennsylvania Code Title 34, Chapter 65 regarding timely determination requirements. I also CC'd my state representative, which seemed to help.

One thing I've learned from my experience - DON'T agree to a repayment plan for the PUA overpayment until your regular UC is processed. Once you acknowledge the debt by setting up payments, it becomes much harder to get them to prioritize processing your regular UC to offset it.

has anyone tried contacting the governors office?? my friend did that for a different UC problem and it got fixed in like 2 weeks!

I want to clarify something important: PUA and regular UC use different funding sources. PUA was federally funded, while regular UC is state-funded with employer contributions. This is part of why the "systems don't talk to each other" - they literally have different funding accounts and reconciliation processes. For the original poster, since your claim dates back to 2023, you should specifically request an "Administrative Offset Review" in writing. This is a special process for handling cases where benefits were paid from the wrong program. Make sure to use that exact terminology in your request.

After trying for MONTHS to get my cross-program issue resolved through normal channels, I finally got it fixed by contacting my state senator (not representative). Their office has a dedicated staff person who deals with UC issues, and they have direct contacts with higher-level UC administrators. Within 3 weeks of involving them, my regular UC was processed and applied against the PUA overpayment. Might be worth trying if your state rep hasn't been helpful.