PA UC claim stuck in limbo after job loss - 5 months, 100+ calls daily, and still no payments
I lost my job with the PA Department of Transportation back in November 2024 and I'm at my wit's end with unemployment. It's been FIVE MONTHS of absolutely nothing! I file my weekly claims like clockwork, diligently complete all the required job search activities, but haven't received a single payment. The regional office that handles former state employee claims called yesterday saying they submitted everything to the main UC office weeks ago and are 'waiting for processing.' Their brilliant advice? 'Just keep calling until you get through.' Yeah, right. I've been making 100+ calls EVERY DAY only to get busy signals or disconnected. This is beyond ridiculous! Has anyone else dealt with this state employee UC claim nightmare? At this point I think I'll win the lottery before I ever see a penny from unemployment.
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Caden Nguyen
Same thing for me but I was with Dept of Corrections. 3 months with nothing but busy signals. The system is completely broken for state workers.
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Harper Hill
•It's insane! Did you ever get through to anyone? I'm about ready to drive to Harrisburg and camp outside their office until someone helps me.
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Avery Flores
omg why is PA UC such a nightmare?? ive been calling for 2 weeks and cant get thru either but at least im getting paid. something about state employees claims needing extra verification?? my cousin works for penndot too and had same issue last year took like 4 months to fix
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Harper Hill
•4 months?! I can't wait that long! Did your cousin do anything special to finally get it resolved?
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Zoe Gonzalez
Former state employees have a separate verification process that unfortunately takes longer. The issue is that your wages need to be transferred from the state payroll system to the UC system, which creates what's called an "extended wage investigation." This requires manual processing. Here's what I recommend: 1. Make sure your initial claim specifically noted you worked for the state 2. Call the Harrisburg UC service center directly (not the main number) at 717-787-3907 3. Request a "state employee claim expedite review" 4. Continue filing your weekly claims 5. Document all your job search activities Once processed, you should receive all back payments you're eligible for.
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Harper Hill
•Thank you so much for this detailed information! I've been calling the main number this whole time. I'll try that Harrisburg direct line tomorrow morning. Do you know if there's a specific time that's better to call?
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Ashley Adams
I had a similar problem (not state employee but claim stuck for months). I tried that number but it's almost impossible to get through - I would get a busy signal for WEEKS. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through in about 20 minutes. They have this system that keeps dialing for you until it connects, then calls your phone. Saved me from going insane with the constant redialing. There's a demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2
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Caden Nguyen
•Does that actually work? I've heard about it but wasn't sure if it was legit. I'm desperate at this point.
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Ashley Adams
•Yeah it worked for me. I was skeptical too but after 3 weeks of calling myself with no luck, I was ready to try anything. Got through to a real person who fixed my issue that had been pending for months.
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Alexis Robinson
DONT WASTE UR TIME calling the regular numbers!! The state employee claims are processed by a special unit in Harrisburg. They wont tell u this when u finally get through to regular UC!! U need to call the Office of Administration HR Service Center at 866-377-2672 and tell them u need status update on ur state employee UC claim. They have a direct line to the special unit. TRUST ME THIS WORKS!!!!
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Harper Hill
•This is incredibly helpful! I'll try this number first thing tomorrow. Thank you!
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Zoe Gonzalez
•This is partially correct. The HR Service Center can help with wage verification, but they can't process the actual claim - only UC can do that. It's best to contact both offices.
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Aaron Lee
I'm in the same boat but I worked for State System of Higher Education. Been waiting since January. My landlord is threatening eviction and my car got repossessed last week. Thanks for nothing, PA UC!
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Harper Hill
•I'm so sorry to hear that. This is exactly what I'm afraid of. Have you tried applying for emergency assistance through your county assistance office? I'm looking into that as a backup plan.
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Chloe Mitchell
Just wondering - have you checked your dashboard messages in the UC portal? Sometimes they send requests for additional information there but don't email you about it. My claim was held up because they needed additional verification that I didn't see for weeks.
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Harper Hill
•Yes, I check it obsessively! There's nothing there except confirmations that my weekly claims have been received. No requests, no messages, nothing indicating what the holdup is.
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Zoe Gonzalez
Quick update on my earlier comment: I spoke with a UC examiner yesterday who confirmed they're currently processing a backlog of state employee claims from December 2024. They're working chronologically, so November claims should be processed soon. The delay is due to staff shortages in that special processing unit. Keep filing your weekly claims and make sure your contact info is current in the system.
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Harper Hill
•Thank you for the update. It's frustrating but at least there's some hope they'll get to my claim soon. I've been saving all my job search documentation just in case they ask for it later.
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Ashley Adams
After trying everything people suggested here, I finally got through using Claimyr today! The agent confirmed my claim was stuck in their "state wage investigation" queue and needed manual processing. They expedited it and said I should see payments within 7-10 days. Will update if the money actually shows up. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!
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Avery Flores
•congrats!! pls let us know when u get paid! im gonna try this 2 now
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Harper Hill
•That's amazing news! Please do update us when you get paid. I'm going to try both the HR Service Center number and Claimyr tomorrow. After 5 months, I just need this resolved.
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NebulaKnight
I'm dealing with a similar situation but from a different angle - I'm a former state employee who just started the UC process after seeing all these horror stories. Should I be doing anything proactively to avoid getting stuck in this limbo? Like calling that HR Service Center number right away or making sure my claim is flagged properly? I worked for the Department of Health and my last day was two weeks ago. Really don't want to end up in the same 5-month nightmare you're going through!
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Honorah King
•Smart thinking to get ahead of this! Based on everything I've read here, definitely call that HR Service Center number (866-377-2672) right when you file your initial claim. Make sure to specifically mention you're a former state employee and ask them to flag your claim for the special processing unit. Also try calling the Harrisburg UC center at 717-787-3907 to request the "state employee claim expedite review" that @Zoe Gonzalez mentioned. Don t'wait - start making these calls as soon as you file. The key seems to be getting your claim routed to the right department from the beginning instead of getting stuck in regular processing like the rest of us did.
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