PA UC system keeps saying my birth date is incorrect when filing new claim - stuck in error loop
I'm at my wit's end trying to file a new unemployment claim in PA! The system keeps giving me an error message saying my date of birth is incorrect, but I KNOW it's right! I've triple-checked and re-entered it at least 10 times exactly as it appears on my license (MM/DD/YYYY format). Every single time I get the same error and can't proceed to the next screen. Has anyone else dealt with this? Is there some weird formatting trick I'm missing? This is so frustrating because I really need to get this claim filed ASAP as my savings are almost gone after being laid off last week.
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Carmen Diaz
same thing happened 2 me last month!! turns out the problem was my browser. try using chrome or edge instead of safari if thats what ur using. also clear ur cookies and cache first
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Yuki Tanaka
•Thanks for the suggestion! I'm already using Chrome but I'll definitely try clearing the cache and cookies. Did that fix it for you right away?
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Andre Laurent
This is a known issue with the PA UC system that's been happening since they updated their portal in January 2025. There are three possible solutions: 1. Try entering your birthdate in a different format (try YYYY-MM-DD instead of MM/DD/YYYY) 2. Clear your browser cache/cookies and use an incognito window 3. If those don't work, there might be a data mismatch between what's in their system and what you're entering. This happens when your SSA data doesn't match exactly with what PA UC has on file.
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Yuki Tanaka
•I'll try these right now. The format thing makes sense - maybe that's the issue. If none of these work, how do I fix a data mismatch? Would I need to contact them directly?
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Emily Jackson
omg the PA system is ALWAYS broken!! I had to file 3 TIMES before mine went through last month. They seriously need to update their entire website. I swear they make it impossible on purpose so people give up!!
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Liam Mendez
•Felt this in my soul! Took me 6 attempts to file my claim back in November. System kept timing out right at the end 😤
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Sophia Nguyen
I had this exact problem! Turned out there was an issue with how my birthday was recorded in their system - a typo someone made years ago when I first registered for unemployment. Had to call them to fix it because there was literally no way around it online. Good luck getting through on the phones though... I tried for 3 weeks straight before I finally got someone to help me.
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Jacob Smithson
•If you're struggling to get through on the phones, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They basically hold your place in line with PA UC and call you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of redial hell when I had a similar data mismatch issue with my account. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The birthday issue is frustrating but unfortunately pretty common - sometimes their database has your info wrong from previous employers' reporting.
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Isabella Brown
Wait, are you filing a brand new claim or reopening an existing one? Because the process is different. If you're reopening, you need to go through the weekly certification section instead of filing a new claim. Many people make this mistake and the system gets confused.
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Yuki Tanaka
•It's definitely a new claim. I haven't filed for unemployment in over 4 years, so my previous benefit year ended long ago. This is a completely new application after being laid off from my most recent job.
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Andre Laurent
Here's what to do when you finally get through to PA UC about your birthdate issue: 1. Ask them to verify ALL your personal information, not just your birthdate 2. Have them check if there's a flag on your account for identity verification (sometimes these birthdate errors trigger fraud alerts) 3. Request that they document the specific error you're getting so it's in your file 4. Get a confirmation number for your call Be prepared that they might have to escalate to a supervisor or specialist to fix database issues. Keep detailed notes of who you speak with and when.
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Yuki Tanaka
•This is super helpful - thank you! I'll make sure to follow these steps once I get through to someone. Do you know if there's any specific department I should ask for when I call?
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Emily Jackson
Why does everything with PA UC have to be so COMPLICATED?? My cousin had a similar problem and gave up after trying for 2 weeks. Ended up just finding a new job instead because the system is such a nightmare!
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Liam Mendez
•That's probably what they want tbh. Make the system so difficult that people give up and the state saves money on not paying benefits 🙄
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Yuki Tanaka
UPDATE: Finally got through to PA UC! Turns out there WAS a data mismatch - they had my birth year wrong by one digit in their system (had me born in 1982 instead of 1983). The rep fixed it on their end and I was able to complete my claim right away. For anyone else having this issue, definitely call them - there's no way to fix it yourself online.
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Sophia Nguyen
•That's great news! Did you use the regular phone line or that Claimyr service someone mentioned? Wondering for future reference because I've got a benefits year ending soon and will probably need to file again.
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Yuki Tanaka
I used Claimyr and it actually worked! Got a call back within a few hours instead of spending days trying to get through. Definitely worth it for anyone stuck in my situation. Now I'm just waiting for my claim to be processed - keeping my fingers crossed there aren't any more issues!
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Isabella Brown
•Thanks for updating us! Make sure you file your weekly certifications on time while you're waiting for the initial claim to process. Sometimes people think they need to wait for approval before filing weekly, but you should start right away.
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