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Savannah Glover

PA UC claim status changed from rule violation to discharge other - what does this mean for my benefits?

I'm super confused about my unemployment claim status and could really use some help understanding what's happening. I got fired from my warehouse job because I violated one of their attendance policies (missed too many days in a 90-day period). When I first filed for UC, my claim showed both 'discharge other' and 'rule violation pending/unresolved' as issues. I was kinda nervous because yeah, I did break their policy, but they never gave me any formal write-ups or a chance to explain my side through any grievance process. I checked my claim online yesterday and noticed the 'rule violation' status has completely disappeared from my claim! Now it just shows 'discharge other' which was there from the beginning. Has anyone experienced this before? Does this mean they're going to approve my claim? Or could this be a system glitch? I'm afraid to get excited but also don't want to get my hopes up if this is bad news...

This actually could be good news for your claim. When the 'rule violation' issue disappears, it typically means one of two things: either the employer didn't respond to PA UC's request for information within the timeframe, or UC has made a determination that the rule violation wasn't severe enough to disqualify you. 'Discharge other' is a general category that doesn't automatically disqualify you from benefits like willful misconduct would. The fact that you weren't given write-ups or a chance to file a grievance works in your favor. Keep checking your dashboard for a decision letter or payment information. Also check your mail/email frequently as they'll send official determination there.

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Oh wow, thank you! That's encouraging. I've been checking my dashboard obsessively but haven't gotten any letters yet. How long do you think it'll take before I know for sure if I'm approved?

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I went through something similar last year. My employer tried to say I violated company policy, but since they didn't have documentation of warnings, PA UC eventually approved my claim. It took about 4 weeks from when the status changed to when I got my first payment. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for a decision!

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That's good to know! I've been filing my weekly claims even though I was pretty sure I'd get denied. Did you get backpay for all those weeks you certified while waiting?

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dont get 2 excited yet. they change those status things all the time and it doesnt mean anything. my brothers claim looked like it was approved for like 3 weeks and then he got denied. pa uc is the WORST

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Ugh, that's exactly what I'm afraid of. This whole process is so stressful!

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If you can't get a clear answer on your dashboard, you really need to talk to an actual UC rep. I spent WEEKS trying to figure out what a status change meant on my claim. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent without the constant busy signals. They connected me directly to PA UC within about 30 minutes - you can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent explained exactly what was happening with my claim and processed it right there on the phone. Saved me from at least another month of waiting and stressing.

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Isnt that the service thats charging people just to call unemployment? Seems wrong to have to pay money when you're already broke and unemployed.

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I thought the same thing at first, but after three weeks of calling hundreds of times and getting nowhere, I was desperate. It got me through when nothing else worked, and the agent fixed all my issues in one call. Totally worth it for me since I was about to miss rent.

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I might try this if I don't see any updates in the next week. I've called like 20 times already and can't get through.

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To answer your question about backpay - yes, if your claim is approved, you'll receive payments for all the weeks you properly certified during the waiting period, minus the waiting week. Just make sure you accurately report any earnings or work during those weeks.

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Thank you! I haven't had any other work, so I've been reporting zero earnings. I'm just getting really anxious about bills.

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THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED I tell you!! They PURPOSELY make these statuses confusing so people give up! I had SIX different status changes on my claim last year before I finally got approved. The whole time NOBODY could tell me what was happening! They don't want to pay out benefits so they hope people just quit trying. Keep fighting them!!!

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this is so true! my cousin works for the state (not uc but still) and says they are totally overwhelmed and understaffed and the computer systems are from like 1995 lol

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That's what it feels like honestly. Like they're hoping I'll just give up and go away. But I really need this money while I'm looking for another job.

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Based on what you've described, the fact that your employer never issued formal write-ups is significant. In PA, employers need to show they consistently enforced their policies and gave proper warnings for rule violations to be considered disqualifying misconduct. The disappearance of the rule violation issue likely means the UC examiner determined your actions didn't rise to the level of willful misconduct. Keep filing those weekly claims and check your determination letter carefully when it arrives (it will explain the decision). If approved, you should see payments begin within 2-3 business days of the determination.

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This makes me feel a lot better. My attendance issues were mostly because of some health problems, which I told my supervisor about verbally, but they still counted them against me without any official warnings that I was close to termination.

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have u checked ur mail? sometimes they send the determination letter in the mail not online and it takes forever to arrive

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I check my mail every day! Nothing from UC yet though. I'll keep looking.

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My discharge reason changed 3 times during my claim process lol. It eventually settled on 'lack of work' even though I was actually fired for being late too many times. Got my benefits though! The system is weird.

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lucky you! mine changed from misconduct to something else then BACK to misconduct and i got denied after waiting 2 months

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This whole process is so unpredictable! I wish they'd just tell us clearly what's happening.

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I'm going through something similar right now! My claim status has been bouncing around for weeks and it's driving me crazy. The fact that your rule violation disappeared is actually really promising - from what I've read, that usually means the employer either didn't provide enough documentation or UC determined it wasn't willful misconduct. The health issues you mentioned could definitely work in your favor too, especially if you can show you communicated with your supervisor about them. Keep documenting everything and definitely keep filing those weekly claims! I'm crossing my fingers for both of us that we get some good news soon.

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