PA UC eligibility review scheduled for 9/17 - how long until final determination?
Hey everyone, I've been stuck in unemployment limbo for what feels like forever. Finally got an eligibility review scheduled for 9/17, and I'm trying to figure out if that's when they'll actually make a decision on my claim or if it's just another step in this never-ending process. My bills are piling up fast and I'm getting really anxious about how much longer this will take. From browsing posts here, it sounds like even after the review date, there could be more waiting? Has anyone gone through an eligibility review recently? Did they make a determination right away or did you have to wait even longer? I'm trying to plan my budget but it's impossible when I have no idea when/if money will come through.
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ElectricDreamer
same boat! had my review 3 weeks ago and still waiting on determination letter. the lady who did my interview said 7-10 days... yeah right LOL
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Ughhh that's what I was afraid of. Did they at least tell you anything during the interview that gave you a hint which way they were leaning?
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Ava Johnson
The eligibility review is just a step in the process, not when you'll receive a final determination. After your review, the examiner needs to consider all evidence and make a ruling, which can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks in my experience. They're severely understaffed right now so everything is moving slower than usual. Make sure you have all your documentation ready for the review - employment records, reason for separation, any communications with your employer. Being prepared can help speed things up slightly.
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Miguel Diaz
•This is exactly right!! And make sure to mention any specific issues you think might be holding up your claim during the interview!! I didn't bring up that my employer had contested my claim and the interviewer never mentioned it so it took an extra 3 weeks for them to sort it out after my review
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Zainab Ahmed
My god the PA UC system is BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR!! I had my "eligibility review" back in JUNE and I'm STILL waiting for a determination!!! I've called over 200 times, left messages, sent emails through the portal, and NOTHING. My state rep's office tried to help and even THEY couldn't get answers. Don't hold your breath waiting for that 9/17 date to mean anything. It's just another box they check while real people are losing their homes and can't feed their families. The whole system is designed to make you give up.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•That's absolutely terrifying. JUNE?? And still no determination?? I can't wait that long... my savings are almost completely gone. Did they ever give you any explanation for the delay?
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Zainab Ahmed
•NOPE! No explanation because you can't even get a human on the phone to GIVE you an explanation! It's a complete disaster. When I finally got through after calling for 3 straight days, they just said "it's still pending review" and couldn't tell me anything else. The system is designed to be a black hole.
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Connor Byrne
I went through this last month, and while it can vary, I got my determination 8 days after my eligibility review. The key was making sure I answered all their questions thoroughly during the interview and had uploaded all my documentation ahead of time. If you're desperate to reach someone at PA UC to check on your status after the review, I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Saved me so much frustration and I was able to confirm they had everything they needed to process my claim.
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Yara Abboud
•did this claimyr thing actually work? sounds too good to be true honestly, i been calling for 2 weeks and cant get thru
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Connor Byrne
•It did work for me. I was skeptical too but was at my wits end. Got through to someone who actually checked my claim status and confirmed what was still needed. Worth it because I was spending hours every day redialing with no luck.
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PixelPioneer
To directly answer your question: No, the eligibility review date (9/17) is not when you'll get a final determination. It's when a UC examiner will review your claim and possibly interview you about the details. After your review, the timeline depends on several factors: 1. Whether your case is straightforward or complex 2. If your former employer contests the claim 3. Current backlog in the PA UC office 4. Whether they need additional information In most cases, you should receive a determination letter within 2-3 weeks after the review. However, some cases take longer, especially if there are contested issues. If you don't receive a determination within 3 weeks after your review, you can call the UC service center at 1-888-313-7284 or reach out to your state representative's office for assistance. Document all your attempts to follow up.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Thank you! This is really helpful. I'm guessing mine might be on the complex side since my employer initially said I quit but I was actually laid off (they called it a "voluntary separation" even though they eliminated my position). Should I be preparing for a longer wait?
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PixelPioneer
•Yes, employer disputes like that often lead to longer processing times since the examiner will need statements from both sides. Make sure you have any documentation showing it was a layoff rather than voluntary quit (emails, termination notice, etc.). Bring this to your eligibility review and clearly explain the situation. Being organized and prepared for your review on 9/17 will help streamline the process as much as possible.
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ElectricDreamer
btw is your review over phone or in person? mine was phone and the interviewer was actually pretty nice, just fyi
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Mine's scheduled for phone too. That's good to hear they were nice! Was it a long interview? I'm trying to make sure I can be somewhere quiet with good reception.
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ElectricDreamer
•mine was like 20 mins. make sure u got all ur dates right for when u worked and stuff. they asked alot about my last day and why i wasnt working there anymore
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Miguel Diaz
My sister works for unemployment (not in PA but another state) and she says theyre all SUPER backlogged right now!! She said never expect anything to happen when they say it will...always add at least 2-3 weeks to whatever timeline they give you and you'll be less disappointed!! Good luck!!!!
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Ava Johnson
One other recommendation - keep filing your weekly certifications even while waiting for the determination. If your claim is eventually approved, you'll get retroactive payments for all properly filed weeks. If you stop filing during this waiting period, you may lose benefits for those weeks.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Thanks for this reminder! I've been filing every week, but it's getting discouraging when they all just say "pending" for weeks on end. At least I know I'm doing the right thing.
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