PA UC system saying I need to open new claim due to 'employer separation' I never reported - help!

this happened to me too last month!!! the system is SO BROKEN. i spent 3 days trying to get through on the phone and when i finally did they said it was some kind of automatic trigger in their system bc i had answered a question about looking for work. they fixed it but it took forever

Seriously? That's ridiculous! Did they at least backdate your payments once they fixed it?

Sometimes the system gets triggered if you answer the job search question differently than you have in previous weeks. Like if you said you applied at 3 places one week and then 0 the next, it might think you stopped looking for work which counts as a 'separation' in their weird system logic.

Hmm, I think I did only report 1 application last week when I usually do 2-3. Could that seriously cause this whole mess?

This is actually a common issue with the PA UC system in 2025. What's happening is the system misinterprets certain responses during weekly certification. The most likely causes are:\n\n1. Answering 'Yes' to whether your work situation changed\n2. Reporting significantly different job search activities\n3. A data processing error on their end\n\nYou need to call the UC service center to have them manually override this. Make sure you have your claim ID and PIN ready. The representative can reset this flag in their system without you having to file a new claim.\n\nIf you can't get through on the phone, you can also upload a message through your dashboard explaining the situation, but phone is faster.

wait, will uploading a message actually work? i thought those messages just go into a black hole, lol

Had exact situation back in March! Make SURE you don't file a new claim until you talk to someone!!! If you file new claim when you don't need to it causes BIGGER problems and can delay benefits for weeks. Trust me i learned the hard way 😩

Thanks for the warning! I definitely won't file a new claim then. I'm just worried about missing this week's payment while I try to get through to someone.

After dealing with this exact issue with multiple clients, I've found the fastest solution is using Claimyr to get through to a PA UC agent. It's the only reliable way to bypass the phone queues. I spent 3 days trying to get through for a client last month, then used Claimyr and was connected in under an hour. Just go to claimyr.com - you can even see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2\n\nOnce you get someone on the phone, specifically ask them to remove the 'separation issue flag' from your account. They'll need to go to a specific screen in their system to do this. After they fix it, you should be able to file your weekly certification immediately.

claimyr actually worked for me too when i had this problem! i was super skeptical but i was desperate

I HATE THE PA UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM WITH A BURNING PASSION!!!! They constantly do this kind of garbage! Their system is DESIGNED to create these fake problems so people give up and stop claiming what they're entitled to. I've had THREE different issues like this in my benefit year. Every time I call they say \

yeah my brother works in IT and he says their whole system is running on like 1980s technology 🤣 they keep trying to update it but every time they do something else breaks

Update: I just checked the PA UC handbook, and this specific error comes from their automated cross-check system. When certain weekly certification answers differ from your normal pattern, it can trigger this separation flag. The good news is that once you get through to a representative, it's a simple fix on their end that takes about 2 minutes.\n\nMake sure when you speak with them, you emphasize that you have NOT separated from any employer and have been consistently looking for work. They should be able to see your previous certification patterns and remove the flag.

Thank you SO much for this detailed info! I feel better knowing it's a known issue with a relatively simple fix. Now I just need to actually get someone on the phone...

did u also check if ur benefit year is ending? sometimes when ur approaching the end of ur benefit year it gives this message becuz u have to file a new claim anyways. just a thought

I don't think that's it - I only started getting benefits in March 2025, so my benefit year should run until March 2026 if I'm understanding correctly?

I was able to get through to PA UC this morning and asked specifically about this issue. The representative confirmed it's happening more frequently right now because they implemented a system update two weeks ago. \n\nHere's what you need to do:\n\n1. DO NOT file a new claim as this could create duplicate claims in their system\n2. Call the UC service center at 888-313-7284\n3. When connected, tell them you received a separation notice in error\n4. Ask them to check the \

This is incredibly helpful! Just to confirm - will this affect my ability to file this week's claim? Today is the last day I can file for last week and I'm worried about missing it while trying to get this resolved.

@OP - You won't lose the week even if today's deadline passes. Once they fix the flag, they can process the

Thank you! That's a huge relief. I used Claimyr this morning and am currently waiting for a callback. Will update on how it goes for anyone else who runs into this same problem.

UPDATE: Finally got through to someone! The rep said this was caused by me answering a job search question differently than previous weeks. Apparently the system flagged it as a potential issue but the rep said it wasn't actually a problem. She removed the flag on her end and helped me file my weekly claim right away over the phone. Payment should be processed normally! Thanks everyone for your help and advice!