I went through this exact same confusion when I was laid off in February! The waiting week is definitely the first week you're eligible for benefits after filing your initial claim - so for you that would be the week ending 4/19/2025. Here's what I learned that might help: Think of the waiting week as PA's way of making sure you're serious about looking for work before they start sending payments. You have to file a weekly certification for this week (including reporting your job search activities), but you won't receive the $510 payment for it. Then starting with the week ending 4/26/2025, you should receive your regular weekly benefit. A few tips that saved me headaches: - File on Sunday evenings (8-9pm seems to be the sweet spot when the system is most stable) - Have your direct deposit info ready even for the waiting week filing - they'll ask you to set it up - Start documenting job search activities immediately since you need at least 2 per week, including the waiting week - Screenshot your confirmation numbers in case of system glitches later The hardest part is already behind you since you got approved! The weekly filing becomes routine after that first time. Just don't skip filing for the waiting week - even though there's no payment, the system needs to see you completed it before future payments will process.

I just wanted to add something that helped me when I went through this process last month - make sure you understand exactly what PA considers "work search activities" and keep really detailed records from day one. You need at least 2 qualifying activities per week starting with your waiting week. These can include: applying for jobs online, contacting employers directly, attending job fairs (virtual or in-person), networking events, career workshops, creating/updating professional profiles (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.), and even informational interviews. The key is being specific in your documentation. Instead of just writing "applied for jobs," I kept records like: "4/15/2025 - Applied for Marketing Coordinator position at ABC Company via company website, confirmation email received." PA can audit your work search activities at any time, and having detailed records saved me when they requested documentation 6 weeks later. Also, don't forget that the work search requirement continues every single week you claim benefits, not just during the waiting week. I made the mistake of getting a bit lazy with my documentation after a few weeks and had to scramble to recreate records when they asked for them. Stay consistent with your record-keeping from the very beginning - it'll save you stress later!

Update for anyone following this thread: The PA Department of Labor actually updated their guidance on this recently. Even if you don't meet the 6x earnings requirement, they're now automatically checking if you qualify under any special programs before issuing a denial. The key steps to follow are: 1. File your new application before your benefit year ends 2. Continue completing your weekly work search activities (minimum 3 per week) 3. If denied, appeal within the 15-day window if you believe there's been a mistake Also worth noting that the UC service center's phone hours changed recently - they're now open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm. This might help with planning when to call.

Just wanted to add that if you do get denied for a new claim, don't give up immediately! I was in a similar boat last year - benefit year expired, hadn't earned enough during the year. Got the initial denial but then PA rolled out some temporary assistance programs I didn't even know existed. The appeals process also sometimes catches things the automated system missed. Also, while you're waiting, definitely hit up the food banks in your area - many don't require any paperwork and can help bridge the gap. The Salvation Army and local churches often have emergency assistance programs too. Hang in there, the job market is slowly improving in most sectors!

I just want to say thank you to everyone who shared their experiences here! I was really anxious about the RESEA program when I first got that email, but reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful. It's reassuring to know that while it's mandatory, it's actually designed to help us find work rather than just being a bureaucratic hurdle. I especially appreciate the tips about bringing detailed work search records and arriving early. Going to make sure I have everything organized before my appointment next week!

I went through the RESEA program about 3 months ago and wanted to share a few things that might help. First, don't panic - it's really not as intimidating as it sounds! The staff understands that most people are nervous about it. One thing I wish someone had told me: if you're applying for jobs online, take screenshots or print confirmations when you submit applications. I thought just writing down company names and dates would be enough, but having actual proof of your applications makes the process much smoother. Also, they'll ask about your "usual occupation" versus what you're willing to consider now. Be prepared to discuss if you're open to different types of work or if you want to stick to your field. They're pretty reasonable about understanding that sometimes you need to be flexible during unemployment. The appointment really is about helping you succeed, not catching you doing something wrong. My counselor actually gave me some great tips for tailoring my resume to different job postings that I hadn't thought of before. Hang in there - you've got this!

This thread has been an absolute goldmine of information! I'm currently dealing with a very similar denial situation - got the "insufficient base year wages" letter last week despite working consistently at $18.50/hr for the past 20 months. Reading through everyone's experiences has completely changed my approach from just accepting the denial to understanding this is likely a fixable system error. The specific advice about requesting the monetary determination worksheet and detailed wage breakdown with employer EINs is exactly what I needed. I had no idea you could get that level of detail to pinpoint exactly where the problem is. Also really appreciate the multiple mentions of Claimyr for actually getting through to a real person - the regular UC phone lines have been absolutely impossible. One question for those who've successfully resolved this: when you filed your wage protest, did you include paystubs from ALL quarters in your base year, or just the ones that were showing as $0 or incorrect in the UC system? I want to make sure I'm not overwhelming them with unnecessary documentation but also want to provide complete proof of my earnings. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community is amazing for turning what feels like an impossible bureaucratic nightmare into a manageable process with clear action steps!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed on April 15th, working steadily at $20/hr for 2.5 years, and got hit with the "insufficient base year wages" denial. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no idea there were so many technical issues that could cause legitimate wages to disappear from their system. The advice about requesting the monetary determination worksheet and detailed wage breakdown with employer EINs is game-changing. I've been spinning my wheels for two weeks not knowing where to start, but now I have a clear action plan. Definitely going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow since the regular UC phone lines are completely useless. One thing I noticed from reading everyone's experiences: it seems like companies that had layoffs or restructuring in late 2024/early 2025 are having a lot of wage reporting issues. My company also went through a "restructuring" (aka layoffs) and switched payroll systems twice last year. Starting to think that's not a coincidence! Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and specific strategies. This thread should be pinned somewhere - it's more helpful than anything on the official UC website!

This thread is incredibly thorough and helpful! I've been on UC for about 3 months and just had a promising interview at a local distribution center. If I get the job, I'll definitely be referring back to all this amazing advice. The consensus is super clear - just stop filing weekly certs once you're over the threshold, keep good documentation, and don't overthink it. I especially appreciate all the tips about screenshots, tracking transition dates, and setting reminders to check back. It's so reassuring to see so many people who went through this exact process recently and had everything work out smoothly. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this is way more helpful than anything on the official UC website!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I went through the exact same transition in PA back in August - went from part-time retail to full-time warehouse work. Everyone here is absolutely right: you just stop filing your weekly certifications once you're over the income threshold. No formal closure needed! What really helped me was creating a simple transition folder on my phone where I saved screenshots of: my final certification page, my last payment confirmation, and my claim dashboard showing the inactive status a few weeks later. Having all that documentation in one place gave me so much peace of mind. One small tip I'd add: when you report your part-time earnings on your final certification this Sunday, double-check that you're using your gross pay (before taxes), not your net pay. I almost made that mistake and caught it at the last second. The PA UC system really is designed to handle people transitioning back to work - it's literally what they want to see happen! You're being so responsible by asking these questions upfront. Congrats on the warehouse job and the move to full-time work!