Stuck in PA UC review for 6 weeks - is this normal or should I panic?

Six weeks is definitely on the longer side, but not unheard of in the PA system. Many claims are getting stuck in review because of identity verification issues or employer response delays. Have you checked your dashboard to see if there are any action items or notices about what specific issue they're reviewing? Sometimes there's an "open issue" listed that gives you a clue.

mine took 8 weeks last year... then suddenly got approved outta nowhere. PA UC system is broken af

My claim was stuck for almost 7 weeks earlier this year. What finally worked for me was using Claimyr to get through to an actual person at PA UC. I was skeptical at first but got connected to a rep in about 15 minutes who explained my claim had an employer protest that needed to be addressed. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and their website is claimyr.com. Once I talked to someone, my claim was processed within 5 days. Worth it when you're dealing with bills piling up!

OMG THE PA UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS THE WORST!!!! I waited NINE WEEKS last month with absolutely NO COMMUNICATION!!! Then they suddenly denied me for "insufficient information" when they NEVER ASKED for anything!!! Now I'm in appeals hell!!! 😡😡😡

I work as an employment counselor, and unfortunately, long wait times have become more common with PA UC claims since their system upgrade in 2025. Here's what you should do: 1. Keep checking your dashboard daily for specific action items 2. Check your correspondence section for any letters/notices you might have missed 3. Submit a message through the contact portal specifically asking what is causing the review delay 4. Contact your state representative's office - they have direct lines to UC and can often get answers 5. Continue your weekly certifications even while under review If there's an identity verification issue, you may need to complete ID.me verification. If it's an employer issue, unfortunately you'll have to wait for them to respond to UC's inquiries. But definitely try your state rep's office - they've helped many of my clients get unstuck.

did u quit or get fired? makes a huge difference. if u quit they take waaaay longer to approve

I was in your exact same position last month! My claim sat in review for 7 weeks with no explanation. I finally got through to someone who told me there was a simple wage verification issue they needed to clear up. Once I talked to an actual person, it was resolved in 2 days. Try calling exactly at 7:59am and keep hitting redial. I got through on my 23rd attempt (yes, I counted because I was that desperate). If you manage to get through, ask them specifically what the open issue is and what documentation they need from you to resolve it. Often it's something simple they haven't communicated clearly. Don't give up hope! And definitely contact your state rep as someone else mentioned - that's my backup plan if I ever get stuck again.

One thing I forgot to mention - be sure to check your spam/junk folder for emails from UC. I've had several clients miss important communications because the PA UC emails got filtered out. They sometimes send requests for additional information via email, and if you miss responding to those, your claim stays in limbo.

anybody else notice they only answer phones like 4 hours a day now? how are we supposed to get help??

Just wanted to follow up - if you do manage to speak with a representative, be sure to document everything: the date and time of your call, the representative's name or ID number, and detailed notes about what they tell you. This documentation can be crucial if you end up needing to file an appeal or if you're asked about your attempts to resolve the issue. Also, while your claim is under review, make sure you're meeting the work search requirements (applying to at least two jobs per week and completing one work search activity). Even though you're not receiving benefits yet, failing to meet these requirements could create problems once your claim is processed.

Update: I FINALLY got through today after calling 32 times in a row starting at 7:58am. The rep told me my claim was flagged because I had worked in another state briefly last year, so they're doing an interstate wage verification. She said this typically adds 4-6 weeks to processing time (ugh). But at least now I know what's happening! She noted on my account that I'm experiencing financial hardship and said that might help expedite things. Thanks everyone for your advice - especially the early morning calling trick!

Congrats on finally getting through! Interstate wage verification is a pain but at least you have answers now. I went through something similar when I had worked in NJ before moving to PA. The good news is that once they complete the interstate verification, your claim usually processes pretty quickly. The financial hardship notation was smart - that can sometimes help move things along. Keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress! I went through something similar earlier this year - my claim was stuck for 5 weeks with no explanation. What finally helped me was contacting my local state representative's office. They have a constituent services team that can actually reach UC directly and get real answers about what's causing the delay. I called on a Tuesday and by Friday they had contacted UC on my behalf and found out there was a simple documentation issue that nobody had told me about. Once I provided what they needed, my claim was approved within a week. Don't lose hope - you WILL get your backpay for all these weeks once it's resolved!

I'm dealing with a similar situation - my claim has been under review for 4 weeks now with no explanation. Reading through all these responses is both reassuring and terrifying! It sounds like the PA UC system is really struggling with processing times right now. I'm going to try the early morning calling strategy and also reach out to my state rep's office based on the advice here. Thanks for posting this question - it's helpful to know we're not alone in this frustrating experience. Really hoping your interstate wage verification gets resolved quickly!

Just wanted to add my experience since I see so many people going through the same thing. My PA UC claim was stuck in review for almost 10 weeks last fall, and like everyone else, I couldn't get through on the phone for weeks. What finally broke it loose was filing a complaint with the PA Department of Labor & Industry's Bureau of UC Benefits Quality Control. You can find the complaint form on their website under "File a Complaint About UC Services." Within 48 hours of filing the complaint, I got a call from a UC supervisor who explained that my claim had been sitting in the wrong queue due to a system error after their upgrade. Once they moved it to the correct department, it was approved in 3 days with full backpay. I know it's one more hoop to jump through when you're already exhausted, but if the state rep route doesn't work, definitely try filing a formal complaint. Sometimes you need to go up the chain to get action. Hang in there - the system is broken but your money is coming!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with a similar situation - my PA UC claim has been stuck in review for 5 weeks now. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been incredibly helpful. It's both comforting and frustrating to know so many others are going through the exact same thing with the PA system right now. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow (7:59am sharp!), and I think I'll also reach out to my state representative's office based on all the positive experiences people have shared here. The formal complaint option through the Bureau of UC Benefits Quality Control is something I had never heard of before but sounds like a great backup plan. For those who successfully got through - did you find that having specific questions prepared helped speed up the call? I want to make sure I use the time efficiently if I'm lucky enough to reach someone. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and creating such a supportive space during this stressful time!

This thread has been so helpful for me - I'm currently at 3 weeks waiting and starting to panic, but seeing that others have gotten through gives me hope. The advice about calling at 7:59am and having specific questions ready is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm also bookmarking that complaint form with the Bureau of UC Benefits Quality Control just in case. One question for those who got through - when you finally talked to someone, were they able to give you a realistic timeline for when your specific issue would be resolved? I know every case is different, but I'm trying to manage my expectations and figure out how long I can stretch my savings. Thanks again to everyone sharing their experiences - this community support means everything when you feel like you're drowning in bureaucracy!