PA UC phone lines constantly busy - Has ANYONE actually gotten through?

same here. been trying for 10 days straight. busy signals every time. they dont want us to get our money.

I got through last Tuesday but it took me 56 calls in a row. Started at 7:55am and just kept hitting redial until I wasn't getting a busy signal. Then waited on hold for 1 hr 20 mins. But they did fix my issue once I got through.

The PA UC phone system is completely overwhelmed right now. With the current claim volume, they're receiving approximately 350,000 calls per day but only have capacity to handle about 35,000. That's why less than 10% of calls get through. I'd recommend these alternatives: 1. Use the message center in your PA UC dashboard (responses usually within 5-7 days) 2. Try calling your state representative's office - they often have dedicated channels 3. Email your local UC service center directly (find the email on the PA UC website under Contact) If you absolutely need to speak with someone by phone about your open issue, try calling at 7:59am on Wednesday or Thursday. Those tend to have slightly lower call volumes based on UC's own statistics.

I WAS IN THE SAME BOAT!!! Spent 3 weeks trying to get through about my missing payments. Nothing worked and I was about to lose my mind. Then someone on here told me about Claimyr.com and I was SUPER skeptical but desperate. It actually worked!!! They somehow get you in the callback queue so you don't have to keep redialing. UC called ME back in about 40 minutes and fixed my issue! They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Just wanted to share since I know how frustrating this is!

Everybody says to call at 8am but thats when EVERYONE is calling!!! I got through last month by calling at 2:47pm on a Thursday. I think cuz it's random time less people calling. Lady I talked to said they get less calls after lunch too. Also dont forget to keep filing ur weekly claims even if u have that open issue!!! My friend didnt and had to do all these appeals.

For anyone dealing with this issue, here's what's actually happening with the PA UC phone system and how to navigate it: 1. The main 888 number uses an antiquated phone system that can only handle a limited number of calls in queue. 2. When too many people are already in the queue, you get the busy signal instead of even being placed on hold. 3. For open issues specifically, using the messaging system through your dashboard can be effective, but make sure to: - Be very specific about your issue - Include your full name, last 4 of SSN, and claim confirmation number - Specifically ask for the open issue to be reviewed 4. If you must speak to someone by phone, call your LOCAL service center directly (not the main 888 number). These numbers aren't published prominently, but you can find them by googling "[your county] PA UC service center direct number" 5. Remember that open issues often involve identity verification. Check if you've completed all IDme requirements in your dashboard. Hope this helps someone avoid the endless busy signal cycle!

Anyone who tried that Claimyr thing - did it actually work? I'm thinking about trying it tomorrow if I can't get through on my own again.

Just to follow up on this thread: if you have an open issue, it's important to understand what TYPE of issue it is. The most common types are: 1. Identity verification issues - require IDme completion 2. Separation issues - require information from your former employer 3. Availability issues - related to your ability/availability to work 4. Wage investigation - verifying your reported income Knowing which type you have can help you prepare for when you do reach someone. You can sometimes see this in your dashboard under "Claim Summary" or "Issues and Determinations" section.

I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM last year when some glitch showed I refused work (I didn't!!). Anyway I finally got help by going IN PERSON to the CareerLink office. They can't process claims but the lady there helped me get through to someone on their special line. Might be worth a try if you live near one.

UPDATE: I FINALLY GOT THROUGH!!! Used the local service center number that someone suggested above and only had to call 8 times before getting in the queue. Was on hold for 45 minutes but finally talked to someone who resolved my open issue! It was because my former employer incorrectly reported that I quit (I was laid off). The rep fixed it and said my payments should process within 3-5 business days. THANK YOU all for the suggestions and support!

Congratulations on getting through! Your success story gives me hope. I'm dealing with a similar situation where my employer is disputing my claim even though I have documentation showing I was laid off due to budget cuts. I found my local service center number too and will try calling them tomorrow morning. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but at least there are ways around the broken main phone system. Thanks for updating us - stories like yours help keep people motivated to keep trying!

Just wanted to add another success story to give people hope! I was stuck in the same endless busy signal loop for about 3 weeks. My payments were on hold due to some identity verification issue that I couldn't even figure out from my dashboard. After reading through this thread, I tried the local service center approach and it was a game changer! Found my county's direct number, called at 8:15am on a Wednesday, and got through after only 12 tries. The rep was super helpful and walked me through completing some additional ID.me steps that weren't showing up properly in my online dashboard. She stayed on the line while I completed them and cleared the hold immediately. My back payments hit my account 2 days later! For anyone still struggling - definitely try the local numbers first before the main 888 line. And if you think it might be an ID verification issue, log into ID.me separately (not through the UC portal) to make sure everything is actually completed. Sometimes there are extra steps that don't show up when you access it through the UC website. Don't give up - there ARE ways to get through this broken system!