PA UC waiting week question - Do I get all 27 weeks with the one-week hold period?

The waiting week is just a delay, not a reduction. You'll still get all 27 weeks. You just won't get paid for that first week until you've exhausted all your benefits (if you use all 27 weeks). Its basicly the last payment, not a lost week.

Pennsylvania's waiting week policy means your first eligible week serves as a 'waiting period' before benefits start flowing. However, you aren't losing that week - you'll receive all 27 weeks if you remain eligible throughout your benefit year. The waiting week payment is just delayed until after you've received your regular benefits if you use all available weeks. Make sure you still file your weekly certification for that waiting week though!

To clarify for everyone: You DO get paid for the waiting week eventually, but only after you've used all your other benefit weeks. So if you qualify for 27 weeks and use all of them, you'd get paid for week 1 after week 27. But if you find a job and only use 15 weeks of benefits, you would NOT get paid for that waiting week. Hope that helps!

Anyone struggling to get through to PA UC to ask questions about the waiting week or other claim issues should try Claimyr (claimyr.com). Used it last month when I had an 'open issue' status for weeks and couldn't get through on the phone. It connected me to a UC agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days getting busy signals. They have a video of how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

Yes, I got connected to someone who actually knew the rules. The key is calling early in the morning (right when they open) and having all your claim info ready. The agent I spoke with was able to look at my specific claim and gave clear answers. Much better than the generic info on their website!

My cousin works for UC and says the waiting week thing is actually to make sure ur actually unemployed b4 they start paying. its dumb but thats just how it is. and yeah u have to file for that week even tho u dont get paid right away.

So if I understand correctly: I need to file for all 27 weeks including that first week, but I'll only get paid for 26 weeks initially, and then get that first week paid at the very end IF I use all my benefits? That seems so weird but I guess it makes sense from their perspective.

when i was on unemployment last year i totally forgot about the waiting week and was freaking out when my first payment didnt come. called like 50 times lol. just remember u gotta keep filing every week even if u dont get paid that first one!!!!

Just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The waiting week really is confusing at first. To add to what others said - make sure you keep detailed records of when you file each week. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my filing dates and payment status because it helped me stay organized and know exactly where I stood with my benefits. Also, don't panic if your first payment seems to take forever - that's totally normal with the waiting week delay. The system will catch up once everything processes correctly.