Which PA representative should I contact about my stuck UC claim?

Yes, contacting your state representative is absolutely the right move when you're stuck in UC limbo! I was in a similar situation last year - claim pending for 8 weeks with no explanation. I finally contacted my state rep's office and they have a staff person who specializes in unemployment issues. Within 10 days, my claim was processed and I received all my backpay. Their office has a direct line to UC that bypasses the regular phone system. Just google "[your town] PA state representative" to find yours.

our state rep can help but mine took FOREVER just sayin dont get ur hopes up too high lol

State representatives can absolutely help with UC issues, but there are a few other options too: 1. State Senator's office (sometimes more responsive than state reps) 2. PA CareerLink offices sometimes have UC connections 3. Legal Aid if your case is particularly complicated When contacting your rep, make sure you have your claim number, the date you applied, and a brief timeline of your attempts to resolve the issue. Also, be very clear about any financial hardship you're facing - they tend to prioritize cases where eviction or utility shutoffs are imminent.

If you're having trouble reaching the UC service center, you might want to try Claimyr. It's a service that helps connect you directly to a PA UC representative, bypassing the busy signals and wait times. Worked for me when I was in a similar situation. Check out their site at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Might be worth a shot before going the political representative route, especially if your issue might be something simple that a UC rep could fix immediately.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME with the regular UC phone lines!!!! I spent 4 MONTHS trying to get my issue fixed and called HUNDREDS of times!!! State rep is your best option but even they are overwhelmed with cases. The system is DELIBERATELY DESIGNED to make it hard to get benefits we EARNED and DESERVE!!! They hope you'll just give up!!!!

One more thing to consider: what type of issue are you having with your claim? If it's an identity verification problem (like with ID.me), sometimes contacting the Lt. Governor's office can help too. They've set up a special task force for identity verification issues specifically. But for most other issues, your state rep is still the best option.

My cousin had this same problem last month and she just kept calling UC every single day until she got through. Took her two weeks of trying but she finally got a person. Have you tried calling right when they open at 8am?

When you contact your state rep's office, make sure you fill out their official authorization form. They can't legally inquire about your case without it. The form authorizes them to act on your behalf with the UC office. Most have the form available on their website, or they'll email it to you. Once they have that signed form, they can usually get answers much faster than you can on your own.

I had success with my state rep but it still took about 3 weeks to get my issue resolved after contacting them. If you go this route, make sure you follow up with their office once a week. The squeaky wheel gets the grease as they say.

Just to close the loop on options: if your financial situation is dire, you might also want to contact your local Community Action Agency. They can sometimes provide emergency rental assistance or utility help while you're waiting for your UC issues to be resolved. They can't fix your UC problem, but they might be able to help with the financial impact in the meantime.

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - stuck claim for 7 weeks with no explanation. Here's what worked for me: I contacted both my state rep AND my state senator's offices on the same day. The senator's office got back to me first (within 3 days) and had my claim moving within a week. Don't feel bad about contacting multiple offices - they're used to it and they want to help. Also, when you contact them, mention that you're facing eviction/financial hardship - they prioritize those cases. Make sure you have your Social Security number, claim confirmation number, and the dates of your last few certifications ready when you call. Good luck - the system is broken but these offices really can cut through the red tape!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now - my claim has been stuck for about 4 weeks with just "pending" status. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I'm definitely going to try contacting both my state rep and senator like @Gabriel Freeman suggested. One question for those who've been through this process: did you find it helpful to document all your previous attempts to resolve the issue (like dates/times you called UC, screenshots of your claim status, etc.) when contacting your representatives? I've been keeping a log of all my failed attempts to get through to UC and wondering if that would be useful to include when I reach out to their offices.