PA UC waiting period confusion - when exactly can I file after my last work day?

the waiting week is still a thing but u don't wait to file. u file right away after ur last day, then they make u wait a week before paying u. but the week isn't based on when u stop working its based on their calendar which runs sunday to saturday

PA UC has very specific rules about this. Here's how it works: 1. You should file your initial claim immediately after your last day of work. Don't wait. 2. PA has a mandatory waiting week, which is the first week you're eligible. You won't get paid for this week, but you must file a weekly certification for it. 3. The UC week runs Sunday through Saturday. So if your last day was Wednesday, you'd file your initial claim right away, then on the following Sunday you can file your first weekly certification. 4. You'll get paid starting with your second week of eligibility (assuming you meet all requirements). Don't delay filing your initial claim - the longer you wait, the more benefits you potentially lose.

I just went thru this last month! The waiting week threw me off too. Basically PA makes you serve a waiting week but you gotta file ASAP. My last day was a Thursday and I filed Friday morning. Then the next week I had to do my first weekly certification even though I wouldn't get paid for it. It's annoying but that's how PA does it.

THEY DON'T TELL YOU THIS but if you wait to file you LOSE MONEY!!! I waited 3 weeks after my last day to file because I thought I'd find another job quickly and they wouldn't backdate my claim!!! So I lost out on 2 weeks of benefits (after the waiting week)!! FILE RIGHT AWAY no matter what!!!!!

I recently helped my mom with her claim and we had trouble getting through to ask questions about the waiting week. We kept getting busy signals for days. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got us connected to a PA UC agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent explained that you always file right away after your last day, but benefits start after the waiting week. Saved us from making mistakes on the claim.

wait i'm confused does the waiting week count if i'm still working but with reduced hours? i'm not totally unemployed yet but my hours got cut bad

Thanks everyone for the super helpful responses! I'm definitely going to file tomorrow (my last day was today). I'll make sure to do the Sunday weekly certification even though it's a waiting week and I won't get paid for it. Really appreciate all the advice - this community is amazing!

Just a final important note: Make sure you answer all questions accurately during the initial application. The system will ask about your last day worked, reason for separation, and other details. Being precise helps avoid delays with your claim. Also, set up your direct deposit or Money Network card information right away so when payments start after your waiting week, you'll receive them promptly. And yes, as mentioned above, you must complete and document at least 2 work search activities each week, including during your waiting week.

One more tip that helped me - download the PA UC mobile app if you haven't already. It makes filing your weekly certifications way easier than using the website, especially on Sundays when everyone is trying to file at once and the site gets slow. You can also check your claim status and payment history through the app. Just make sure you file your weekly certs by Saturday night to avoid any issues!

Just want to add from my recent experience - when you file that initial claim, PA UC will give you a confirmation number. WRITE IT DOWN and keep it somewhere safe! I lost mine and it made it harder to reference my claim when I had to call them later. Also, after you file, you'll get a determination letter in the mail (or online if you set up electronic delivery) that tells you your weekly benefit amount and other important details. Don't panic if it takes a few days to arrive - that's normal. The key thing everyone's saying is right: file immediately after your last day, don't wait!

I went through this exact same confusion when I filed my PA UC claim back in February! The waiting week really trips people up because it seems backwards - you file immediately but then don't get paid for the first eligible week. What helped me remember it was thinking of it as "file fast, get paid second." Also, keep in mind that even though you won't get paid for the waiting week, you still need to certify for it AND do your work search activities. I made the mistake of thinking I could skip the work search stuff during the waiting week and almost got my claim flagged. The whole system is definitely confusing but this thread has great advice - file tomorrow and you'll be set!

I just want to echo what everyone else is saying here - definitely file ASAP! I made the mistake of waiting almost two weeks after my last day because I was confused about the waiting period too. Thought I had to be unemployed for a week before I could even apply. Big mistake! Lost out on benefits I could have gotten. The waiting week is something PA makes you serve AFTER you file, not before. So file your initial claim right away, then do your weekly certifications starting the first Sunday after your last day (even though you won't get paid for that first week). The system is definitely confusing but this thread breaks it down perfectly. Good luck with your claim!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My last day is this Friday and I was so confused about when to file. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had it completely backwards thinking I needed to wait a full week before I could even apply. Now I understand that I should file my initial claim on Monday (right after my last day), then start doing weekly certifications the following Sunday, and I'll get my first payment the week after that (since the first week is unpaid). It's such a relief to get clarity on this because the PA UC website really doesn't explain it clearly. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and tips!

I'm in a very similar boat - my last day is next Tuesday and I was totally confused about this waiting period thing too! Reading through all these responses has been so helpful. I was definitely one of those people who thought I had to wait a full week before I could even file, which clearly would have been a huge mistake. Now I understand: file immediately after my last day (so Wednesday), then start weekly certifications that Sunday, and expect my first actual payment the week after that since the first week is unpaid. One question though - does it matter what time of day I file my initial claim? Like should I do it first thing in the morning or does timing not matter for the initial application? Thanks everyone for all the detailed explanations - this community is amazing for helping navigate PA UC confusion!

Just wanted to add something that helped me when I filed last year - make sure you have all your employment documents ready before you start the application! You'll need your Social Security card, driver's license, and details about your last employer (name, address, dates of employment, reason for separation). I had to stop halfway through my application to find my employer's exact address and it timed out on me, so I had to start over. Also keep your last few pay stubs handy because they'll ask about your recent earnings. Having everything organized beforehand makes the process much smoother, especially when you're already stressed about being unemployed. The application itself takes about 20-30 minutes if you have all your info ready. File as soon as you can after your last day - don't overthink it!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I was in the same exact situation a few months ago and made the mistake of overthinking the "waiting period" language on PA's website. Like many others here, I thought I had to wait a full week before I could even apply. Ended up delaying my filing by almost 10 days and lost out on benefits I could have received. The key points everyone's mentioned are spot on: 1) File your initial claim immediately after your last work day - don't wait! 2) PA's benefit week runs Sunday to Saturday, so start your weekly certifications the first Sunday after you file. 3) You won't get paid for your first eligible week (the waiting week), but you still must certify and do work search activities. 4) Your first payment will come for your second eligible week. The system is definitely confusing, but this community really breaks it down well. Don't make the same mistake I did - file ASAP and save yourself the headache!

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm someone who filed PA UC about 8 months ago and went through the exact same confusion. The "waiting period" terminology is so misleading - I almost waited a week to file too until a friend who had been through it told me to file immediately. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're filing online and the system seems slow or glitchy (which happens sometimes, especially on weekends), don't give up! Try again later the same day or early the next morning. The key is getting that initial claim filed as soon as possible after your last day of work. Also, once you do file, you'll get a PIN in the mail within a few days - guard that with your life because you'll need it for all future certifications and to access your account. Really glad to see so many people helping each other navigate this confusing system!