Thanks everyone for the explanations! I understand now that the monetary finality date is just about when they can make changes to my benefit amount calculation, not when my benefits end. I'll keep filing my weekly claims and doing my work search activities. I double checked and my wages seem to be reported correctly so I don't need to worry about the finality date. This makes me feel much better!

Glad you got your answer! Just wanted to add that you can always check your benefit year end date in your account dashboard too - that's the date that actually matters for when your claim expires (usually 52 weeks from when you first filed). The monetary finality date threw me off too when I first saw it. PA's system really needs better explanations for all these confusing terms!

I switched from ReliaCard to Varo direct deposit about 3 months ago and it's been a total game changer! My deposits consistently hit around 12pm on Mondays after filing Sunday - way better than those anxious Tuesday morning waits with ReliaCard. The transition took exactly 2 weeks for me. I updated my payment info on a Wednesday, got one more ReliaCard payment the following Tuesday, then the next payment went straight to Varo with no issues. Just make sure you screenshot your Varo routing number (124303120) and account number from the app when updating your info to avoid any typos. Definitely keep your ReliaCard active until you confirm the first direct deposit hits Varo successfully. The instant push notifications are amazing - you'll get that sweet alert the second your money arrives instead of constantly refreshing the ReliaCard site. If you're already doing all your banking through Varo, this switch is absolutely worth it for the convenience and faster timing!

I've been using Varo for my PA UC direct deposits for about 7 months now and absolutely love it! My payments consistently hit between 11:30am-12:30pm on Mondays after filing Sunday, which is such a huge improvement over waiting until Tuesday morning with ReliaCard. The switch took about 2 weeks for me - I got one final ReliaCard payment, then the next one automatically went to my Varo account. No issues at all during the transition. Just make sure you copy your routing number (124303120) and account number directly from the Varo app when updating your payment info to avoid any typos. Keep your ReliaCard active until you see that first successful deposit in Varo - better safe than sorry! The instant notifications are incredible too. You'll get that satisfying ping the moment your money arrives instead of anxiously checking the ReliaCard site every few minutes on Tuesday mornings. Since you're already using Varo for everything else, this switch will definitely streamline your finances and give you peace of mind with the faster, more reliable timing!

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: The PA UC system is definitely backed up, but there is no intentional delaying of claims. The main issues are staffing shortages and an outdated computer system. Also, for the original poster: Make sure you're filing your biweekly claims properly during this waiting period, and double-check that your job search activities are being recorded correctly (you need to be doing at least 2 work search activities per week). Many claims get delayed because of job search requirement issues.

I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 4 weeks with my claim under examiner review. The waiting is really stressful, especially when bills are piling up. From what I'm seeing in this thread, it sounds like 3-8 weeks is unfortunately pretty normal right now. I've been trying the early morning calling strategy that some people mentioned, and I'm also going to look into contacting my state representative's office since that seemed to help someone else here. Hang in there - sounds like most people do eventually get approved and receive backpay for all the waiting weeks as long as you keep filing your biweekly claims. The system is definitely frustrating but you're not alone in this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress, especially with three kids to support. I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - got arrested for a bar altercation that made the local news, and my employer at a medical office terminated me the next day citing their "professional conduct" policy. The waiting period is absolutely brutal, but I want you to know there's real hope here. I ended up winning my case because PA law is pretty clear that misconduct has to be connected to your actual work performance. A DUI that happened completely outside of work hours and doesn't involve patients or job duties typically doesn't qualify as willful misconduct, regardless of what your employee handbook says. A few things that really helped my case: - I gathered every piece of positive documentation I could find (performance reviews, commendations, attendance records) - I researched whether the company had applied their policy consistently (they hadn't) - I stayed professional during the hearing and stuck to facts, not emotions - I emphasized that I was charged, not convicted, and the incident was totally unrelated to my job The whole process took about 5 weeks from denial to getting my first payment, but I got full back pay for all the weeks I had properly filed. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - that's crucial! Your 3-year perfect record is going to be huge in your favor. Hang in there - I know how terrifying this is when you have little ones depending on you, but the odds are actually pretty good based on what you've described.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of worrying about your kids and rent while dealing with legal issues and unemployment appeals is just overwhelming. I went through something very similar about 8 months ago when I got arrested for a minor assault charge (bar fight that got out of hand) and my employer at a nursing home fired me immediately citing their "zero tolerance for criminal activity" policy. The good news is I eventually won my UC case! The key things that helped me: 1) I documented my entire employment history - every performance review, commendation, attendance record I could find 2) I proved the arrest happened completely off-duty and had zero connection to my job responsibilities 3) I showed that I hadn't been convicted of anything yet - just charged 4) Most importantly, I found evidence that my employer had treated other similar situations inconsistently The referee ruling was really clear - she said that while employers can terminate for policy violations, PA unemployment law requires misconduct to be willful AND connected to work performance. Off-duty arrests that don't impact your job duties typically don't meet that standard, no matter what the employee handbook says. The process took about 6 weeks total, but I got full back pay for every week I had properly filed claims. Your 3-year perfect record is going to be incredibly powerful evidence in your favor. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what status your case shows - you can't get back pay for weeks you didn't file. And definitely bring up that other employee who kept their job despite pending charges - inconsistent policy application really strengthens your case. Hang in there! I know how scary this is with kids depending on you, but based on everything you've described, you have a really strong case.

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Filed 5 weeks ago with 2 initial issues, got the examiner assignment email last week. It's oddly comforting to know I'm not the only one going through this right now. From what I'm reading here, it sounds like the examiner step is just part of the normal process when there are questions to resolve - not necessarily good or bad, just necessary. The wide range of timelines people are sharing is pretty anxiety-inducing though! I've been obsessively checking my dashboard and making sure my phone volume is always up in case they call. Really hoping both of us (and everyone else waiting) hear something positive soon. This financial limbo is so stressful when you're trying to keep up with rent and bills. Thanks for posting this - it helps to know we're all in this together!

I'm going through something very similar right now! My claim went to an examiner about 3 weeks ago after having 2 initial issues, and I'm still waiting to hear back. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been both helpful and stressful - the timelines seem to vary so much from person to person. Some people hear back in a week, others wait months! Your issues actually sound pretty standard based on what others have shared - layoff verification and identity checks are things they deal with regularly. The fact that you responded quickly with all your documentation should definitely work in your favor. I've been obsessively checking my dashboard and making sure I don't miss any calls from unknown numbers. The waiting is absolutely brutal when bills are piling up, but it sounds like most people do eventually get through the process. Keep filing those weekly claims like they told you - that seems to be crucial for getting back pay if you're approved. Hang in there!