When to file for PA UC after being laid off? Filing timing and payment questions

File your initial claim the Sunday after your last day of work. The system is set up for weekly cycles that run Sunday-Saturday. Don't wait any longer than that! The waiting week is automatic - it's just the first week you're eligible, you won't get paid for it, but you STILL need to file for that week. As for timeline, my initial claim took about 10 days to process in January, but weekly payments after that came like clockwork as long as I filed on time. Reaching out to your state rep can definitely help if you hit any snags, but I'd wait to see if there are actual problems first before going that route.

dnt panic!!!! i got laid off 2x now and PA UC always came thru. just make sure u answer all ?s honestly when u file or ull get stuck in verification hell

I filed the day after I was laid off last month and I'm STILL waiting on my first payment!!! Going on 4 weeks now with an 'open issue' on my claim. I've called literally 97 times (I counted) and can't get through to a human. The automated system just tells me I have an 'unresolved issue' with no details. The online portal shows nothing helpful. This system is DESIGNED to make you give up. I've started contacting my state rep but haven't heard back yet. I'm living on credit cards now.

I went through this in February and can share my timeline: - Filed on Sunday after my last day (highly recommend this) - Claim showed as "pending" for about 8 days - Got determination letter in the mail on day 10 - First payment hit my account on day 14 (this was for my second week, since the first week is the waiting week) Make sure you have all this ready before filing: - Accurate employment dates - Employer's correct name and address - Your ID and Social Security card - Bank account info for direct deposit And most importantly - once approved, file your weekly claims every single week without fail, even if your payments aren't coming through yet. Miss a week and you'll create a whole new problem.

After trying for 3 weeks to reach someone at PA UC about my own open issue (was getting the same busy signals as everyone else), I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual agent in about 20 minutes. It was such a relief after spending hours redialing. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 showing how it works. The agent fixed my issue right away once I finally got through. Their website is claimyr.com if you end up needing help getting through the phone system.

One critical thing nobody's mentioned yet: job search requirements! Once you start receiving benefits, PA requires you to complete and document at least 3 work search activities each week (applying for jobs, attending job fairs, etc). If you don't do this and log them in your weekly claims, they can stop your payments or even make you pay back benefits. This requirement starts from your waiting week, so don't forget to start your job search activities right away.

when i was on UC last year they sent me one of those card things instead of direct deposit even tho i asked for direct deposit?? so watch out for that

Thank you everyone for all this helpful information! I feel much more prepared now. Just to make sure I have this straight: 1. File this Sunday after my last day 2. Start doing and documenting 3 job search activities each week right away 3. The first eligible week will be unpaid (waiting week) 4. Keep filing every week without fail 5. If there are delays, consider contacting my state rep or using that Claimyr service Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly. I'll update here if I run into issues in case it helps someone else.

One more thing to add - if you're really tight on cash while waiting for your first payment, look into local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Many churches and community organizations in PA have emergency funds specifically for people between jobs. The United Way (dial 211) can connect you with resources in your area. Also check if your utility companies have hardship programs - many will work with you on payment plans if you explain you're waiting on unemployment benefits. Don't be too proud to ask for help during this transition period!

Also want to add - make sure you keep detailed records of EVERYTHING from day one. I created a simple spreadsheet tracking my filing dates, confirmation numbers, any correspondence, phone call attempts, etc. When I eventually got through to an agent about a payment delay, having all those details ready made the call go much smoother. They could see exactly what had happened and when. Also, screenshot your weekly claim confirmations - I've heard horror stories of people's claims "disappearing" from the system and having those screenshots saved their bacon. Good luck with everything, Zoe! The first time filing is scary but you've got this.

Just want to emphasize what others have said about filing on Sunday - this is really important for your timeline! I made the mistake of filing on a Wednesday when I got laid off last year and it pushed everything back by almost a week because they process claims in those Sunday-Saturday cycles. Also, when you're gathering your employment info, make sure you have your exact gross wages for your last few quarters - not just your final paycheck amount. They use this to calculate your weekly benefit amount, so accuracy here is crucial. The PA UC website has a benefit calculator you can use to estimate what you'll receive, which might help with your budgeting while you wait for that first payment. Hang in there!

One thing I learned the hard way - don't just rely on the online portal status updates! Mine showed "under review" for weeks even after my payments started coming through. The actual determination letters they mail are much more reliable for knowing your real status. Also, if you do end up having to call, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's when I finally got through after days of busy signals. The phone lines get completely jammed by mid-morning. And definitely set up that direct deposit even if they send you the debit card first - you can usually add your bank info later through the online portal and future payments will go directly to your account. Wishing you the best with your claim!

Hey Zoe! I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago - also got laid off from a warehouse job after several years. The anxiety about bills is totally understandable, but you're asking all the right questions which puts you ahead of where I was! One thing I wish someone had told me: if you have any vacation time or severance pay coming, that might affect your start date for UC benefits. In PA, you can't collect unemployment for weeks when you're receiving other compensation from your employer. So if they're paying you for unused PTO or giving you a severance package, make sure to factor that into when your eligible weeks actually begin. This tripped me up initially and caused some confusion with my claim. Also, while you're waiting for everything to process, see if your former employer offers any job placement assistance or if they have contacts at other warehouses in the area - sometimes companies going through "restructuring" will help connect departing employees with their competitors who might be hiring. You've got this!

I'm sorry to hear about your layoff, Zoe. I went through something similar last fall and know how overwhelming it can feel when you're facing bills with uncertain income. Everyone here has given you excellent advice, but I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me: if you have a credit union or community bank, give them a call to explain your situation. Many of them have hardship programs or can offer short-term payment deferrals on loans while you're waiting for UC to kick in. My credit union let me skip my car payment for two months without penalty when I explained I was laid off and waiting on unemployment. It's definitely worth asking about, especially with your mortgage coming due. Also, don't forget to apply for SNAP benefits if you qualify - the process is much faster than UC and can help with grocery costs while you're waiting. You can apply online through the COMPASS website. Hang in there - this community is great for support and you're clearly being proactive about everything!