PA UC work separation issue timeframe - been waiting 3 weeks with no updates
I got laid off from my warehouse job on February 15th and filed for PA unemployment right away. My claim shows an 'open issue' regarding work separation (I'm guessing because my employer hasn't responded yet). It's been almost 3 weeks with ZERO updates. My rent is due next week and I'm getting really stressed. The claim status still just says 'pending' with this work separation issue listed. I've called the UC service center like 40 times but can't get through - just busy signals or it hangs up after the automated message. Anyone know how long these work separation issues typically take to resolve? Has anyone had a similar situation and could tell me what to expect? I've been doing my weekly certifications but haven't received any payments yet.
22 comments
Aiden Chen
Work separation issues are taking 4-6 weeks right now based on my recent experience. They're super backed up. Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims though! Once they resolve the issue, you'll get backpay for all the weeks you properly certified. When my employer contested my layoff (they falsely claimed I quit), it took 5 weeks before an examiner called me for my side of the story, then another week before they made a determination.
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Sophia Bennett
•5-6 WEEKS?? Ugh that's so much longer than I expected. Did you do anything to speed up the process? I can't wait that long without income. Did they eventually rule in your favor?
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Zoey Bianchi
Call early in the morning RIGHT when they open at 8am. Even then it may take multiple tries over several days. Also, check your dashboard and messages in the portal - sometimes they send questionnaires about the separation that you need to complete, and your claim won't move forward until you do. Often they don't notify you about these questionnaires by email or text.
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Christopher Morgan
•this is good advice! the portal is weird and sometimes hides important stuff. i missed a questionnaire for 2 weeks and it delayed everything
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Aurora St.Pierre
I waited 7 weeks for my work separation issue to clear last month!! UC is a JOKE! They expect us to just survive on nothing while they take their sweet time. My landlord sure didn't care that UC was "backed up" when I couldn't pay rent on time. The system is designed to make people give up.
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Grace Johnson
•I know it's frustrating, but they do eventually process everything and you get backpay. The system is actually designed to prevent fraud by verifying information with both parties. In my experience as an employer who has had to respond to separation notices, sometimes employers are slow to respond which causes these delays. The UC office is handling thousands of claims with limited staff.
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Jayden Reed
I used Claimyr to get through to PA UC when I had this exact issue last month. I was getting desperate after trying to call for weeks. It's a service that connects you directly to a UC agent without the wait. Cost money but worth it for me since I got my issue resolved that day. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent told me they prioritize claims with open issues based on filing date, but directly talking to someone moved my claim to the front of the queue.
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Sophia Bennett
•Thanks for this! I've never heard of Claimyr before but I'm getting desperate. Did the agent actually fix your issue on the spot or just tell you what was happening? I'm wondering if it's worth trying.
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Jayden Reed
•They didn't fix it immediately, but they escalated it to an examiner and made notes on my file. The examiner called me the next day! Much better than waiting weeks. The agent also explained exactly what was happening with my claim which gave me peace of mind.
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Nora Brooks
my work separashun issue took 5 weeks in january... my buddy had the same thing happen in december and his only took 2 weeks tho. i think it depends on how busy they are and if ur employer responds fast. if they dont contest it goes faster i think
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Christopher Morgan
•this is so true! my employer never responded to UC and my claim still took 4 weeks to process lol
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Grace Johnson
According to PA UC regulations, employers have 7 days to respond to a separation notice. However, in practice, the department often waits longer or sends follow-up requests. Here's what typically happens with separation issues: 1. Initial claim filed - employer has 7 days to respond 2. If no response, follow-up notice with 5 additional days 3. After that, an examiner reviews available information 4. If more info needed, you may receive a fact-finding questionnaire 5. Final determination made (usually within 2-4 weeks under normal conditions) Current processing times are running 3-6 weeks for work separation issues. Keep filing your weekly claims, and when resolved, you'll receive all eligible backdated payments at once. You can also check if you qualify for an 'emergency hardship' request by explaining your housing situation when you do reach someone.
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Sophia Bennett
•This is really helpful information, thank you! I didn't know about the emergency hardship request - that might help me if I can actually reach someone. It's just so frustrating that there's no transparency about where my claim stands in this process.
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Christopher Morgan
i had this happen in january!!! took 5 weeks but i got all my backpay eventually. make sure ur checking ur dashboard everyday cuz they sometimes add questions they need u to answer but dont tell u about them!
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Sophia Bennett
•Thanks! I've been checking every day obsessively. So far no questionnaires, just the same 'open issue - work separation' status that hasn't changed. Did you ever manage to talk to anyone at UC while you were waiting?
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Christopher Morgan
•lol nope i never got thru on the phone. just waited and stressed and eventually it resolved itself
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Nora Brooks
When I got layed off last year I had same problem and waited 4 weeks. Then I found out my old boss was telling them I quit!! Had to have a phone hearing thing to explain what really happened. Make sure you keep all ur texts and emails from when u got laid off incase u need to prove it.
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Aiden Chen
•This is excellent advice. Document everything about your separation - texts, emails, termination letter, final paycheck stub, anything that shows the circumstances. If it does go to a hearing, you'll be prepared. I won my hearing because I had emails showing the layoff was coming.
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Eli Wang
I've been on unemployment three times in the past five years and had separation issues each time. The first time took 8 weeks to resolve, second time was 3 weeks, and this most recent time in January took 6 weeks. It's honestly just luck of the draw depending on their backlog. The separation issue is really just UC waiting for your employer to verify you were laid off and didn't quit or get fired for misconduct. Some employers drag their feet responding.
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Sophia Bennett
•I think my employer is probably dragging their feet. They seemed annoyed when they had to lay people off. I'll just keep filing and waiting I guess. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Zoey Bianchi
If you're really in a bind financially while waiting, you might want to look into the PA LIHEAP program for utility assistance, and local food banks. There's also rent assistance through some county agencies. These can help bridge the gap while waiting for UC to come through. Just don't stop filing your weekly claims no matter what.
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Sophia Bennett
•Thank you - I might need to look into those options. I have enough savings for maybe one more week of expenses but after that I'm in trouble. I'll definitely keep filing my weekly claims in the meantime.
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