Good luck with your claim! One more thing to keep in mind - if you run into any issues or delays, you can also try contacting your local CareerLink office. They sometimes have direct contacts at the UC office and can help escalate stuck claims. I had to use this route when my claim got flagged for a "fact-finding interview" that never got scheduled. The CareerLink counselor was able to get it moving again within a week. Also, keep all your severance documentation handy (offer letter, severance agreement, pay stubs) because they might request it even months later during an audit.

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process - make sure you also understand how they calculate your weekly benefit amount with severance. PA divides your total severance by your normal weekly wage to determine how many "weeks" of severance you received. So if you got $10,000 in severance and your weekly wage was $1,000, they consider that 10 weeks of severance regardless of how long you were actually on payroll. This matters because it affects when your UC benefits will actually start paying out. Also, if you had any unused vacation or PTO that was paid out with your severance, that counts toward the total severance amount too. The whole system is pretty complex but being thorough upfront will save you headaches later!

Yes, attending networking events specifically focused on employment opportunities does count as a work search activity in PA. The senior job networking group would qualify. Regarding your severance agreement, you should have it ready during your initial application. There will be questions about severance during the application process, and you may need to provide the agreement either during the initial filing or shortly after. Remember that even though you're 68, you're still eligible for your full benefit entitlement. Your claim isn't affected by your age, only by your work history, earnings, and current part-time income.

As someone who just went through a similar situation at 62, I wanted to add a few practical tips that really helped me: 1) File online early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) - the system seems to work better then and you're less likely to get kicked out mid-application 2) Have your last employer's info ready including their UC account number if you can find it (sometimes on your final paystub) 3) When they ask about your reason for separation, be very clear it was a layoff/reduction in force, not resignation 4) For the work search requirement - I found that applying through company websites directly counted better than just using job boards like Indeed. They seem to prefer when you can provide specific company contact info The partial benefits calculation worked out better for me than I expected. Even though my part-time job was only bringing in about $300/week, I was still getting a decent partial UC payment that made a real difference. Good luck with your application! The process is confusing but once you get through the initial filing it gets more routine.

I'm dealing with the exact same IDme nightmare right now! Filed my claim last week but got stuck in verification hell for 4 days. The facial recognition kept timing out and their customer service was useless. Finally got verified yesterday but now I'm worried about the same backdating issue you had. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the Message Center approach might be worth trying first before dealing with the phone system. Has anyone had success getting backdating approved through the online message system alone, or did everyone eventually have to call? Also @Zainab Ismail - really hoping your backdating gets processed smoothly! Keep us posted on how it goes. This whole IDme rollout has been such a disaster.

I went through something very similar earlier this year! The IDme verification system is absolutely terrible - I was locked out for almost 2 weeks because their facial recognition kept failing even though I was following all their instructions perfectly. What finally worked for me was calling during their less busy hours (around 2-3pm on weekdays) and being very specific about the "technical system failure" language when explaining the situation. The rep I spoke with said they've been getting tons of calls about IDme issues and they have a streamlined process now for backdating claims when the delay was due to their verification system problems. One tip that might help - when you do get through, ask them to put a note in your file about the IDme verification delays. This creates a paper trail showing the issue wasn't on your end, which can be helpful if any other problems come up with your claim later. The good news is that once they approve the backdating, everything else should process normally. My waiting week automatically adjusted and I got paid for that missing week within about 10 days of the approval. Hang in there - it's frustrating but it does get resolved eventually!

As a newcomer to this community, I just want to say how incredible this thread has been to read! @Justin Evans, congratulations on getting your CareerLink access restored and your RESEA appointment rescheduled - what a relief that must be! I'm currently navigating my own PA unemployment claim and this thread has been like a masterclass in how to handle technical issues with government systems. The advice about going directly to pacareerlink.pa.gov instead of through the UC portal, documenting everything with timestamps and screenshots, and having that backup email address ([email protected]) are all golden nuggets I'm saving for future reference. What really stands out to me is how everyone emphasized the importance of going in person when phone and online options fail. It's easy to forget that sometimes the old-fashioned approach of physically showing up with documentation can be the most effective solution. The fact that the local office staff were actually helpful and added notes to your file shows that not all interactions with the system have to be frustrating battles. This community's willingness to share practical, real-world solutions instead of just venting about problems is exactly what people in crisis situations need. Thanks to everyone who contributed - you've probably helped countless others who will find this thread when dealing with similar CareerLink login emergencies!

Just joined this community and stumbled across this thread - what an incredible example of collective problem-solving! @Justin Evans, I'm so relieved you got your CareerLink access back and your RESEA appointment rescheduled. Reading through all the advice here has been like getting a crash course in PA unemployment system navigation. As someone who's about to start their own unemployment claim process, I'm taking detailed notes on everything shared here. The tip about going directly to pacareerlink.pa.gov instead of through the UC portal link is something I never would have thought of, and knowing about that [email protected] email for urgent technical issues could be a real lifesaver. The emphasis on documentation and taking screenshots of everything also makes so much sense - it's like building your own paper trail for appeals. What really impressed me is how quickly the community rallied with practical, actionable advice instead of just sympathy. From @Emily Parker's direct troubleshooting steps to @Benjamin Johnson's insider knowledge about system updates to @Victoria Scott's appeal preparation tips - everyone contributed something valuable. The fact that following this collective wisdom actually solved your crisis gives me confidence that this community provides real solutions, not just venting space. Thanks for sharing your journey from panic to resolution - this thread is going to help so many people who face similar technical emergencies with their benefits on the line!

I won my hearing against my employer last year. Some practical tips: 1) Make multiple copies of all your documents 2) Highlight the key parts you want to reference 3) Write down bullet points of your main arguments 4) Stay calm and stick to facts 5) Be honest - don't try to embellish or exaggerate 6) If you don't know an answer, just say so rather than guessing. Most importantly, answer the referee's questions directly without going off on tangents. Good luck!

Hey Mei! I went through a similar situation with my employer appealing after I'd been collecting for weeks. It's scary but you have a really strong case based on what you've described. Family caregiving is definitely considered a necessitous and compelling reason in PA, especially since you tried to work with them first. A few things that helped me: 1) Create a timeline document showing when your mom got sick, when you first approached your employer about accommodation, their responses, and when you finally had to quit. 2) Print out bank statements showing you've been receiving benefits - this proves the initial approval wasn't frivolous. 3) If you have any witnesses (coworkers who heard conversations, family who knew about your situation), get written statements from them. The fact that you have emails showing you tried to negotiate is HUGE in your favor. Most people who quit impulsively don't have that kind of documentation. Don't let them intimidate you - you did everything right by trying to preserve your job first. You've got this! 💪