PA UC investigating my 2025 claim because I received PUA in 2020 - anyone else?

Yes, this is definitely happening to a lot of people right now. PA UC is conducting what they call "cross-program integrity reviews" where they're comparing current claims against any pandemic benefits received. It's not that they automatically think you're committing fraud - they're checking if you were properly eligible for PUA back then before paying new benefits now. The good news is that if your PUA claim was legitimate, your current regular UC claim should eventually be approved. The bad news is that it can take 4-6 weeks for them to complete these reviews. They're severely backlogged because they're reviewing thousands of claims this way. Make sure you respond to ANY requests for information immediately, even if you've provided it before. That's the fastest way to get through the process.

Im dealing with this exact thing!!! Filed in January, still waiting for payment bcuz they flagged my claim for "PUA comparison review" whatever that means. So stressed about making rent next month.

after calling for 3 days straight and not getting through to anyone, i tried using Claimyr (claimyr.com) and actually got connected to a PA UC agent in like 20 minutes! they have this system that calls for you and holds your place in line. they even have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 the agent told me these PUA cross-checks are happening to EVERYONE who got pandemic benefits and now has a new claim. they said to make sure all my ID verification is up to date through IDme and that i should see movement on my claim once the examiner completes their review. still waiting but at least i know whats happening now

This is actually happening because PA UC was hit with massive fraud during the pandemic, especially in the PUA program. They're now required by federal guidelines to verify that anyone who received pandemic benefits was legitimately eligible before they can approve new claims. It's an extra verification step that affects anyone who received PUA, PEUC, or FPUC payments. There are two important things to know: 1. If your prior pandemic benefits were legitimate, your current claim will eventually be approved. This is just a verification delay, not a denial. 2. When your claim is finally processed, you'll receive all back payments you're entitled to - they'll be backdated to when you first filed. Keep filing your weekly certifications during this waiting period! That's absolutely crucial. If you stop filing weekly claims while waiting for the review to complete, you'll lose those weeks permanently.

they did this to me in dec and took 7 WEEKS to finally clear my claim!! its so messed up how they r punishing people who needed help during the pandemic we didnt do anything wrong!!!!!

This is outrageous and likely illegal. The PA UC system can't withhold rightful benefits because you previously collected a different type of benefit under different circumstances. I recommend immediately filing an appeal against the hold on your benefits - the form is available on the PA UC website under "Appeals". You have 15 days from the date of the notification to file this appeal. Also, contact your state representative's office. They often have direct channels to UC and can help expedite claims that are stuck in these review processes. I've had several clients get their claims unstuck this way when UC was being unreasonable about these cross-program reviews. Document EVERYTHING - dates of calls, who you spoke with, what they told you. This will be important if you end up needing to pursue legal options.

I went through this exact situation back in January. The PUA review held up my claim for about 5 weeks, but I did eventually get approved and received all my back payments. Here's what helped speed things up for me: 1. I uploaded all my 2020 PUA documentation again through the UC dashboard, even though they didn't specifically ask for it 2. I made sure my IDme verification was current (this is often a hidden holdup) 3. I sent a message through the UC message center every week (politely) asking for a status update 4. I kept filing my weekly claims without fail It's frustrating, but if your original PUA claim was legitimate, you will eventually get through this extra scrutiny. Don't give up on your weekly claims while waiting!

does anyone kno if we can get some kinda emergency assistance while wating for these reviews?? i cant make my car payment and bout to get repo'd

Update on this situation: PA UC has recently added more staff to handle these cross-program reviews. According to information from their latest stakeholder meeting, they're now prioritizing claims where the claimant received PUA more than 3 years ago, so many of these should start moving faster. They're also implementing a new streamlined review process for claimants with clear employment records after their PUA ended. If you're experiencing this delay, make sure: 1. Your identity is verified through IDme 2. You've provided all requested documentation 3. Your contact information is up to date 4. You continue filing weekly claims If it's been more than 4 weeks with no movement, that's when I'd recommend reaching out to your state representative's office for assistance.

I'm dealing with this same issue right now! Filed my claim in early March after being laid off from my retail job, and got the dreaded "eligibility review - prior benefits" status. I received PUA in 2020 when my hours were cut due to COVID restrictions, and now they're treating it like some red flag. What's really frustrating is that I worked steadily from 2021-2024 after the pandemic ended, built up my quarters for regular UC, and then get laid off through no fault of my own - but somehow my legitimate use of a federal program 5 years ago is now holding up my benefits? I've been reading through all your responses and it's both reassuring and terrifying to know this is happening to so many people. Going to try the Claimyr service that @Natalie Wang mentioned since I can't get through on the phones. Really hoping this gets resolved soon because my savings are running out fast. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess!

This is absolutely ridiculous! I'm going through the exact same thing right now. Filed my claim in February after getting laid off from my restaurant job, and they flagged me for this "PUA comparison review" even though I legitimately received PUA in 2020 when restaurants were shut down. What really gets me is that I've been working full-time since 2021, paid into the system, and now they're acting like using a federal program during a PANDEMIC somehow makes me suspicious? I've been without income for over a month now while they dig through records from 5 years ago. The worst part is trying to explain this to bill collectors and my landlord. "Sorry, I can't pay because the state thinks I might be a fraudster for using unemployment during COVID" sounds insane even to me. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service - anything is better than hitting redial 50 times a day. Has anyone had luck getting their state rep involved? I'm getting desperate here and my credit cards are maxed out from living expenses. Keep your heads up everyone - sounds like we're all in the same boat rowing against this bureaucratic nightmare!

I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Filed my claim in mid-March after being laid off from my construction job, and immediately got hit with the "eligibility review - prior benefits" status. I received PUA in 2020 when construction work dried up during lockdowns, but I've been working steady ever since and paying into the system. What's really frustrating is that they make you feel like a criminal for using a program THE GOVERNMENT created during a national emergency. I've been calling every day for two weeks and can't get through to anyone. My claim just sits there saying "under review" while my bills pile up. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both comforting and terrifying - comforting to know I'm not alone, terrifying to see people waiting 6-7 weeks for resolution. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service @Natalie Wang mentioned because this endless phone tree is driving me insane. For anyone else dealing with this - I've been keeping detailed notes of every interaction, uploading any documents I can think of, and most importantly continuing to file my weekly claims even though I'm not getting paid. Sounds like that's crucial for getting backpay later. This whole situation is just wrong - we shouldn't be penalized for following the rules during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. Stay strong everyone!

This is absolutely infuriating and I'm going through the exact same thing! Filed my claim in early March after my hotel job ended due to downsizing, and immediately got flagged for this "PUA comparison review." I received PUA in 2020 when the hotel industry completely shut down - you know, because there was a GLOBAL PANDEMIC and they literally told us to apply for these benefits! Now I'm being treated like some kind of suspect for following government guidance during the worst crisis in decades. I've worked continuously since 2021, paid my taxes, contributed to the UC system, and this is how they treat me when I legitimately need help again? The phone system is a joke - I've called over 200 times in the past 3 weeks and gotten through exactly ZERO times. My claim just sits there saying "under review" while my rent is due and my car payment is overdue. I'm definitely trying that Claimyr service everyone's mentioning because this is driving me to my breaking point. What's really messed up is that they're essentially punishing us for surviving 2020. We didn't choose to have a pandemic, we didn't choose to lose our jobs, and we didn't choose to need government assistance - but we followed the rules and applied for the help that was offered. Now that legitimate help is being used against us like we're criminals. Keep filing those weekly claims everyone, and document everything! We shouldn't have to go through this but at least we're not alone in this nightmare.