PA UC payment came through but now system says I can't file until 9/15 due to separation issue - already documented?

same thing happened to my brother last month, system is totally messed up

This sounds like what's called an "automatic separation issue" and it's actually quite common. When certain keywords or dates show up in your initial application, the system automatically flags your account for review. The weird part is that they often let one payment go through while they investigate. You need to call the UC service center ASAP to find out exactly what the issue is. It might be as simple as needing to verify your last day worked didn't change or confirming the reason for separation. Don't wait until 9/15 because that might just be an automatic date the system assigned while the issue is pending.

This happened to me back in January!!! The system said I couldn't file for almost 3 weeks because of a "separation issue" even though I had already documented everything in my initial claim. TURNS OUT my former employer had contested my unemployment eligibility after my first payment went through. They were claiming I quit instead of being laid off! I had no idea until I finally got through to a UC rep on the phone and they explained the situation. You definitely need to talk to someone ASAP because if your employer is contesting your claim, you only have a limited time to respond.

Trying to reach someone at PA UC is literally the WORST experience ever!!! I spent THREE DAYS hitting redial for HOURS before I gave up. My friend told me about this service called Claimyr that helped her get through to an agent in less than an hour. I was desperate so I tried it - they basically keep calling for you and when they get through, they connect you with the agent. Worked surprisingly well. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Unless you have endless time to keep redialing, it might be worth checking out. I had a similar issue with my claim being held up and I needed to talk to someone right away.

This situation is almost certainly an automatic halt caused by one of two things: 1. Your employer responded to your initial claim (which they have 7 days to do after UC notifies them) and provided information that differs from what you submitted, OR 2. The quarterly wage verification process flagged a discrepancy between what you reported and what your employer reported. The September 15th date is likely just a placeholder. The system automatically assigns a date 4 weeks out when an issue is being investigated. If you can get through to a UC representative, they can often resolve this immediately if it's a simple misunderstanding. In the meantime, check your UC dashboard and inbox for any new messages or questionnaires that need to be completed. Sometimes they send additional forms that need to be filled out within a specific timeframe.

i had this problem too. turns out my boss told them i quit when actually i was laid off!!! took 3 weeks to fix and i almost got evicted waiting for money. uc system is rigged against workers!!!!!

Just wanted to add that even if there is a separation issue, make sure you continue to file your weekly claims as soon as the system allows you to do so (even if that's after 9/15). The system will hold those payments until the issue is resolved, but if everything gets approved, they'll release all the held payments at once. If you don't file during that time, you won't get retroactive payments for those weeks even if you're eligible.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at UC this morning! Used the Claimyr service that someone recommended here and it worked pretty well. The agent explained that my employer didn't contest anything - it was actually a system flag because my last day of work on my initial application was different from what my employer reported (off by one day). The agent corrected it immediately and removed the hold. I can file my weekly claim tomorrow! So relieved this got resolved quickly.