PA UC payment stuck at 'in progress' with unknown active issue - can I still get backpay?

You need to call PA UC immediately about that unknown active issue. When your claim shows an active issue, they won't release ANY payments until it's resolved - even if you keep filing weekly claims correctly. The backpay question depends on your reason for separation, but if you're approved, you should be eligible for payments going back to your initial filing date, not when you were let go. The fact you waited 2 months to file means those weeks are likely gone forever.\n\nAs for the termination issue, PA is an at-will employment state, but they still need valid cause for termination if they want to deny unemployment. Being 4 minutes late once doesn't usually qualify as misconduct unless you had prior documented warnings. Since you never signed anything, that could work in your favor. The UC office is probably waiting for your employer to respond to their fact-finding, which is causing the delay.

Thanks for the info. So I'll definitely lose those 2 months before filing? That really hurts financially. I've been trying to call PA UC but can't get through - busy signal every time or it just hangs up. Any tricks to actually talking to someone? I'm worried because my employer might try to say I had warnings even though I never signed anything.

sounds like ur employer is fighting ur claim thats why u have that unknown issue. happened to me 2. they probably told UC u were fired for misconduct even tho u were just late once. keep filing every week no matter what!!! when they finally approve u (if they do) ull get all the back pay from when u FILED not when u got fired. those 2 months r gone sorry dude

Man that sucks about losing those 2 months. I was really counting on getting that backpay. Do you know how long it usually takes them to resolve these employer disputes? I can't believe they'd fight it over 4 minutes late ONE TIME.

I had an \

yeah i feel ur pain. i spent 3 hours on hold yesterday just to get disconnected right when someone picked up. thinking about giving up at this point

Have you checked your portal messages/inbox? Sometimes they send fact-finding questionnaires there that you need to complete before they can process your claim. When you have an active issue, there's usually an employer dispute about your separation reason. Since you mentioned being let go potentially for attendance, they need to determine if it was misconduct or not.\n\nFor getting through to PA UC, I recently discovered a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you bypass the busy signals and actually connects you with an agent. I was skeptical at first but they got me through to PA UC in about 20 minutes after I'd been trying for weeks on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Once I finally spoke to someone, they cleared my active issue in minutes - turned out it was just missing information they needed to verify.

I checked my inbox yesterday and there's nothing there asking for information. It's just completely silent which is making me more anxious. I'll check out that Claimyr service - at this point I'd try anything to get through to someone. Did they explain what your active issue was when you finally got through?

Since your employer may be contesting your claim based on attendance, here's what you should do:\n\n1. Keep filing your weekly claims even while the issue is pending\n2. Gather any evidence that shows you didn't have prior warnings (emails, texts, pay stubs without deductions, etc.)\n3. Write down the exact circumstances of your termination with dates and names\n4. Request a copy of your personnel file from your former employer (PA law allows this)\n5. If you do manage to reach UC, ask specifically for a fact-finding interview about your separation\n\nThe unknown active issue is most likely an employer protest of your claim. Without documentation of progressive discipline, they may have a weak case against you. A single tardiness of 4 minutes without prior warnings shouldn't constitute willful misconduct under PA UC law.

this is really good advice. when i had my employer contest my claim i had to do a phone interview with a uc examiner. they asked very specific questions about the company policies and if i had been warned before. make sure u dont say anything that makes it sound like u broke rules on purpose, they're looking for \

Just wanted to give you some hope - I was in almost your exact situation in January. Had an unknown active issue for what ended up being 5 weeks, was completely broke, had a baby to support. It was terrifying. I finally got through to someone using the live chat function at exactly 8:00am when it opened (hit refresh like crazy starting at 7:58). \n\nTurns out my employer claimed I had multiple attendance warnings, but when I explained I never signed anything and provided the exact dates/times I'd ever been late (only twice in 6 months), the UC rep sided with me. Once they cleared the issue, I got all my backpay within 3 days. \n\nHang in there, and definitely try the chat function - sometimes it's easier than calling. And for side work - try posting on Nextdoor app, I know electricians are in huge demand right now and you might find some cash jobs to tide you over.

Thank you so much for this. It helps knowing someone else got through a similar situation. I'll try the chat function at 8:00am sharp tomorrow. I've been looking at Nextdoor for side jobs too - picked up one small wiring job yesterday but it was only $150. Better than nothing though!

Following up on what I mentioned earlier, when I used Claimyr to reach PA UC, they told me my \

That's interesting - I wonder if mine is also just waiting for employer response. I've been waiting about 3 weeks now, so maybe they're getting close to that 21-day mark? I tried the chat function this morning like someone suggested but couldn't get through. Might try Claimyr tomorrow if I still can't reach anyone.

btw if ur an electrician theres tons of construction going on in york and lancaster area right now. my buddy just got hired at $38/hr for commercial work. might be worth checking out while ur waiting for uc to get their act together

Thanks for the tip! York is about an hour drive for me but at $38/hr it might be worth it. Do you know the name of the company your buddy works for? I could definitely use steady work right now.

just wanted to share my experience with unknown issues - mine was because my employer reported a different separation reason than what i put. i said laid off, they said quit. it took 6 weeks to resolve and during that time i had to borrow money from family to survive. when i finally got through by calling at exactly 8:00am, they scheduled a fact-finding interview for the next week. after the interview it took another 5 days before they made a decision (in my favor!) and then backpay came 2 days later. so even when you reach someone it's not instant but at least you'll know what's happening. good luck with your little one, i know how stressful this is with a baby at home.

THIS is exactly why the system is BROKEN!! Making people wait 6+ WEEKS while bills pile up and you can't feed your family?? And all because employers lie to avoid their UI rates going up!!! It's disgusting how the system is designed to wear people down!!!

I completely understand your frustration - I went through almost the exact same situation last year with PA UC. The "unknown" active issue is almost certainly your employer disputing your claim, probably claiming you were terminated for misconduct rather than just being late once. Here's what worked for me: I called PA UC at exactly 7:59am and kept hitting redial until I got through (took about 45 minutes of constant calling). When I finally spoke to someone, they explained that my employer had 21 days to respond to their inquiry, and my case was just sitting in limbo waiting for that response. The good news is that if you win the dispute, you'll get ALL your backpay from the date you filed your claim. Since you never signed any disciplinary paperwork and were only 4 minutes late once, you have a strong case. Keep detailed notes about exactly what happened - date, time, who told you to leave, lack of prior warnings, etc. Also, definitely keep filing your weekly claims even while this is pending! If you stop filing, you could lose those weeks even after the issue is resolved. As a fellow parent, I know how terrifying this financial stress is. Have you looked into local food banks or emergency assistance programs while you wait? Many churches and community centers have programs specifically for families with young children.

Hey Justin, I've been following your situation and wanted to share something that might help. I'm also an electrician in PA and went through a similar UC nightmare last year. The "unknown" active issue is definitely your employer contesting the claim - they probably told UC you were fired for misconduct to avoid their unemployment insurance rates going up. Here's the thing about those 2 months you waited to file - yeah, those weeks are gone forever. UC only pays from your filing date forward, not from when you actually lost your job. I learned this the hard way too. For getting through to PA UC, I had success using the callback feature on their website around 2pm on weekdays. It's buried in the "Contact Us" section but sometimes works better than calling directly. Also, if you're union (IBEW), they have people who can help navigate UC issues. Since you're an electrician, check out the Facebook group "Pennsylvania Electricians - Jobs & Networking." Lots of contractors post there looking for help, and some pay daily. I picked up enough side work there to survive while my UC was stuck in limbo for 2 months. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - that's crucial. And document everything about your termination. Being 4 minutes late once with no prior written warnings shouldn't qualify as willful misconduct under PA law. You've got a good case if you can get someone to actually look at it. Hang in there man, I know how scary this is with a little one at home.

I've been dealing with PA UC for years and that "unknown" active issue is almost always an employer dispute. They're probably claiming misconduct to avoid paying into the system. The fact that you were only 4 minutes late once and never signed any disciplinary paperwork actually puts you in a strong position. Here's what I'd recommend: Call PA UC at exactly 8:00am when they open - don't wait even a minute. Keep hitting redial until you get through. When you do reach someone, ask specifically about the timeline for your employer's response. They have 21 days to provide documentation, and if they don't respond or can't prove misconduct, you should win by default. Also, make sure to mention during any interview that you were never given written warnings or a chance to improve. Pennsylvania's misconduct standard is pretty high - they need to show willful or wanton disregard of your employer's interests. Being a few minutes late once doesn't meet that threshold. The waiting is brutal, especially with a baby, but keep filing those weekly claims no matter what. When this gets resolved (and it likely will in your favor), you'll get all that backpay at once. I've seen cases like yours take 4-6 weeks total, but the money does come. Stay strong - you've got this!

I'm going through almost the exact same situation right now - "unknown" active issue for about 4 weeks, payments stuck at "in progress," and I'm also an electrician with a young family. The stress is unreal. What finally worked for me was using that Claimyr service someone mentioned earlier - I was skeptical about paying for it but I was desperate. They got me through to PA UC in about 30 minutes after I'd been trying on my own for weeks. Turns out my employer was claiming I had multiple attendance issues when I was actually only late twice in 8 months, both times by less than 10 minutes. The UC rep told me that employers have 21 days to respond with documentation, and if they can't prove "willful misconduct" (which is the actual legal standard in PA), the claim gets approved. Being 4 minutes late once with no prior written warnings definitely doesn't meet that bar. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - that's crucial. When they finally resolve it in your favor, you'll get all the backpay from when you filed. And definitely document everything about your termination - exact times, who was present, lack of signed paperwork, everything. For immediate cash while waiting, check Facebook Marketplace for small electrical jobs. I've been doing outlet installations, ceiling fan work, basic troubleshooting - anything to keep food on the table. People are always looking for electricians and will pay cash same day. Hang in there man - you've got a strong case and this will get resolved. The system is slow but it does work eventually.

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - electrician, young family, "unknown" active issue that dragged on for over a month. The anxiety was crushing, especially with a little one depending on you. Here's what I learned: that "unknown" issue is definitely your employer contesting your claim. They're probably telling PA UC you were fired for misconduct to avoid their unemployment rates going up. The good news is that Pennsylvania has a high bar for proving misconduct - they need to show it was "willful or wanton disregard" of your employer's interests. Being 4 minutes late once with no prior written warnings absolutely does not meet that standard. A few things that helped me get through this: 1. I finally got through to PA UC by calling at exactly 7:58am and hitting redial constantly until someone picked up (took about an hour of non-stop calling) 2. When I reached them, they explained my employer had 21 days to provide documentation - if they can't prove misconduct with actual paperwork, you win by default 3. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! This is crucial - if you stop, you lose those weeks even after winning 4. Document everything about your termination: exact time, who was present, what was said, and especially the fact you never signed disciplinary paperwork For immediate income while waiting, post on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor offering electrical services. I made enough doing small residential jobs (outlets, switches, ceiling fans) to keep us afloat. Cash jobs are a lifesaver when UC is dragging their feet. The system is frustratingly slow, but cases like yours almost always get approved eventually. You've got a strong case - hang in there!

I'm in a similar boat right now - been waiting 5 weeks with an "unknown" active issue and it's absolutely devastating financially. The stress of not knowing when (or if) this will get resolved while bills keep piling up is unreal. What's really helped me cope is connecting with other people going through the same thing. There's actually a Facebook group called "Pennsylvania Unemployment Help & Support" where people share real-time updates about getting through to UC, what questions they ask during fact-finding interviews, and success stories. It's been invaluable for my mental health to know I'm not alone in this. Also wanted to mention - if you haven't already, definitely apply for emergency food assistance through 211 (just dial 2-1-1). They connected me with programs I didn't even know existed, including emergency utility assistance that helped keep our heat on. With a 16-month-old, you might also qualify for WIC if your household income is low enough right now. For what it's worth, every single person I've talked to who had an "unknown" issue with no signed disciplinary paperwork eventually won their case. The system is broken and slow, but it does seem to work out in the end for legitimate claims. Keep filing those weekly claims and hang in there - you're going to get through this.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting for UC with a young family is absolutely crushing. I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago (also an electrician with a toddler) and that "unknown" active issue dragged on for 7 weeks before getting resolved. Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: that unknown issue is 100% your employer disputing your claim. They're trying to claim you were fired for misconduct to avoid their UI rates going up. The good news is Pennsylvania has strict standards for proving misconduct - they need documented progressive discipline and evidence of "willful disregard." Being 4 minutes late once with no signed write-ups doesn't even come close to meeting that bar. A few things that saved me during the wait: - Posted on local contractor Facebook groups offering to help with overflow work - other electricians threw me side jobs when they were busy - Applied for emergency assistance through United Way (dial 2-1-1) - they helped with utilities and connected me to a food pantry - Joined the "Pennsylvania Unemployment Help & Support" Facebook group for real-time tips and moral support Most importantly: KEEP FILING WEEKLY CLAIMS even while it's pending! If you stop, you lose those weeks forever. When my case finally got approved (which it did - employer couldn't provide any documentation), I got all the backpay at once. The waiting is hell but you've got a strong case. Employers contest everything hoping people will give up, but the system does work eventually. Hang in there - you're going to get through this.

I'm really feeling for you right now - being an electrician with a young family and dealing with PA UC's broken system is incredibly stressful. I went through something similar last year and that "unknown" active issue is definitely your employer contesting the claim, probably claiming misconduct over that single 4-minute tardiness. Here's what worked for me: I used a combination of the early morning calling strategy (7:58am sharp, constant redial) and also tried the live chat feature right when it opens at 8am. The chat actually got me through faster - hit refresh starting at 7:58am and spam click when it goes live. Your case sounds very strong honestly. PA requires "willful or wanton disregard" for misconduct, and being late once by 4 minutes with zero prior written warnings doesn't come close to meeting that standard. The fact that you never signed any disciplinary paperwork is huge in your favor. Keep filing those weekly claims religiously - this is crucial! When you eventually win (which you likely will based on what you've described), all that backpay comes at once. I know the waiting is brutal with bills piling up and a toddler depending on you. For immediate survival while waiting - check out the Facebook group "Pennsylvania Electricians - Jobs & Networking" for side work, and definitely call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance. They connected me with utility help and food resources I didn't know existed. You're going to get through this. The system is painfully slow but cases like yours typically get approved once they actually review the facts. Stay strong!

I've been in your exact situation and I know how terrifying it is with a young child depending on you. That "unknown" active issue is almost certainly your employer disputing your claim - they're probably telling PA UC you were fired for misconduct to protect their unemployment insurance rates. The good news is you have a really strong case. Pennsylvania requires employers to prove "willful or wanton disregard" for misconduct, and being 4 minutes late ONE TIME with zero prior written warnings doesn't even come close to that standard. The fact that you never signed any disciplinary paperwork is huge in your favor. Here's what finally worked for me: Call PA UC at exactly 7:58am and keep hitting redial non-stop until someone picks up. It took me about 45 minutes of constant calling, but I finally got through. You can also try the live chat feature right at 8am - sometimes it's faster than calling. Most importantly - keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! Even though they show "in progress," if you stop filing you'll lose those weeks forever. When your case gets approved (which it likely will), all that backpay comes at once. For immediate help while waiting: call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance, check local food banks, and post on Facebook contractor groups for side electrical work. The waiting is brutal but you're going to get through this. Employers contest everything hoping people give up, but the system does work for legitimate claims like yours.

Hey Justin, I'm really sorry you're dealing with this nightmare - I went through almost the identical situation about 9 months ago as an electrician with a 2-year-old. That "unknown" active issue is definitely your employer contesting your claim, probably saying you were fired for misconduct to keep their UI rates from going up. The good news is you actually have a really strong case. Pennsylvania requires proof of "willful or wanton disregard" for misconduct - being 4 minutes late ONCE with zero written warnings doesn't even come close to that legal standard. The fact that you never signed any disciplinary paperwork is huge in your favor. Here's what finally got me through after weeks of trying: Call PA UC at exactly 7:59am and hit redial constantly until someone picks up. I know it sounds brutal but it took about an hour of non-stop calling before I got through. You can also try spamming the live chat feature right when it opens at 8am. Most crucial thing - keep filing those weekly claims even though they show "in progress"! If you stop filing, you lose those weeks forever. When this gets resolved in your favor (which it likely will based on your situation), all that backpay hits your account at once. For surviving while you wait - definitely call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance, hit up local food banks, and post in Facebook contractor groups for side electrical work. I made enough doing small residential jobs to keep us going. The waiting is absolute hell with a little one depending on you, but cases like yours almost always get approved once they actually review the facts. Hang in there!

I just wanted to reach out and say I'm really sorry you're going through this - as a newcomer to this community, I've been reading through all the responses and your situation really hits home. I'm not an electrician myself, but I went through a similar PA UC nightmare last year with an "unknown" active issue that lasted almost 6 weeks. What struck me most reading your story is how strong your case seems to be. Being 4 minutes late ONE time with absolutely no prior written warnings or signed disciplinary action is nowhere near the "willful misconduct" standard PA requires. Your employer is probably just fishing, hoping you'll give up rather than fight it. I know everyone's already given you great advice about the early morning calling strategy and keeping up with weekly claims, but I wanted to add one thing that helped me mentally get through the waiting period - I started keeping a daily journal of my job search activities and any progress on the UC front. It sounds silly, but having something concrete to look at each day made me feel less helpless during those weeks of radio silence. Also, if you haven't already, document absolutely everything about that day you were terminated - not just the big details, but everything. What time exactly did you arrive? Who else was around? What was the weather like? Sometimes those small details become important if you end up in a fact-finding interview. You're clearly doing everything right by staying on top of weekly claims and looking for side work. This community seems incredibly supportive and knowledgeable - you're not alone in this fight. Hang in there!