PA UC payment delays after company lost contract - how long before first payment?

When I filed back in February, it took exactly 10 days from my initial claim to receive my first payment. But that was a pretty straightforward case - no issues with my employment history. If you have any 'open issues' on your claim (you can see this in your dashboard), it could take longer. Have you been able to file your weekly certifications yet? That's a requirement before they'll release any payments.

open issues can take FOREVER to resolve!! i waited 6 weeks last time and almost got evicted. system is totally broken

For open issues, you need to contact them directly. The online system won't tell you what's wrong or let you fix it. Most common open issues are employment verification problems, separation issues (they need to confirm why you lost your job), or income verification. You have three options: 1. Keep calling the regular UC number at 888-313-7284 (good luck getting through) 2. Send a message through your dashboard (typically 7-10 business days for response) 3. Use a service like Claimyr that can actually get you connected with a PA UC agent quickly. I used them when I had an open issue and got it resolved in one call. Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Definitely don't just wait and hope it resolves itself. Open issues don't clear automatically.

I used Claimyr last month when I had an issue with my benefit year ending and needing to reapply. It did work - got me through to an actual person at UC in about 30 minutes instead of calling for days. The agent was able to fix my problem while I was on the phone. Not cheap but worth it when you're desperate.

Regarding your original timeline question - standard processing with no issues is about 2-3 weeks for first payment. But with an open issue, it's completely unpredictable. I've seen everything from 1 week to 3+ months. It really depends on the specific issue and current backlog. Also make sure you're completing your work search activities (applying to jobs, going to interviews, etc.) and documenting them each week. They'll want to see that eventually, and if you haven't been doing it, they can deny benefits retroactively.

You absolutely need to keep detailed records of your work search activities. PA requires you to do at least two qualifying work search activities per week, and you need to track: - Date of activity - Type of activity (job application, interview, etc.) - Company name and contact info - Position applied for - Result/outcome if any They can audit you at any time during your benefit year and up to 2 years after, and if you can't provide records, you could be forced to repay all benefits. This happens more often than people realize.

when I got laid off from FedEx last yr my claim had an open issue for almost 3 months!!! kept calling every day for weeks!! finally I just went IN PERSON to the CareerLink office and they helped me talk to somebody who fixed it. try that if ur near one

Update: I decided to try Claimyr this morning and actually got through to someone at UC! They told me the "open issue" was that they needed additional verification about why I lost my job. The agent was able to update everything while I was on the phone and said my claim should process within 3-5 business days. Huge relief! Just wanted to update in case anyone else runs into this. Will post again when/if I actually get paid.

my cousin waited 8 weeks for his first payment and they never even told him why... PA unemployment is the WORST!!

FINAL UPDATE: Payment hit my account this morning!!!! Exactly 4 business days after talking to the agent. They even included all the back weeks I was owed. So glad I didn't just wait for the system to figure itself out. For anyone reading this later - if you have an open issue, definitely call them or use one of the methods suggested here to talk to someone directly. Don't just wait and hope!