This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm currently dealing with the exact same issue - temp layoff from my job at a logistics company and completely locked out of my UC account from 2020. I've been banging my head against the wall for the past week trying to get back in. After reading everyone's experiences, I'm definitely skipping the phone system entirely and heading straight to CareerLink tomorrow. It's amazing how consistent everyone's advice is about going in person being the only reliable solution. One quick tip I'll add for anyone else in this situation - before you go to CareerLink, try to gather up any old emails or paperwork you might have from your previous UC claim. I found some old confirmation emails in my archived folders that have my claim number and other details that might be helpful for the staff to look up your account faster. Thanks especially to @Chloe Robinson for sharing your success story and detailed timeline. It's so encouraging to hear that this nightmare actually has a solution!

This entire thread should be pinned as a guide for anyone dealing with PA UC login issues! I went through this exact same nightmare in September after a temporary plant closure and wasted SO much time trying to get through on the phone. What really struck me reading through everyone's experiences is how the CareerLink in-person solution works 100% of the time, while the phone system seems to fail for literally everyone. It's almost like they designed the online/phone systems to be impossible on purpose. For anyone facing this in the future: save yourself the headache and just go straight to CareerLink with your documents. Don't waste days calling or trying password resets like I did. The staff there can fix everything in under an hour that would take weeks to resolve (or never get resolved) through the automated systems. Also really appreciate the tip about documenting everything for potential backpay appeals - that's something I never would have thought to do but could be crucial if there are delays in getting your claim processed.

Adding to what others have said - I just went through this process last month. The transaction number appeared for me in about 18 hours, but here's something nobody mentioned: make sure you have your SS card and driver's license ready for the ID verification step that comes next. PA UC uses ID.me and it can be pretty picky about document quality. I had to retake photos of my documents 3 times because of lighting/blur issues. Also, don't panic if you see "monetary determination pending" for a while - that's totally normal and just means they're calculating your benefit amount based on your work history.

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I went through this exact same thing a few weeks ago! My transaction number took about 20 hours to appear, so don't worry if it's not there yet. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier - after you get your transaction number, keep checking your dashboard regularly because they might request additional documents or have you complete extra verification steps. I missed an important notice for 4 days because I thought I just had to wait passively. Also, if you're worried about missing any steps, I found it helpful to write down all the important dates (when I filed, when transaction number appeared, weekly cert dates, etc.) in a notebook. The whole process can feel overwhelming but you're doing great by staying on top of it!

This is unfortunately becoming way too common with PA UC lately. I've been helping people in my community navigate these issues and what you're describing - approved then suddenly disqualified with a "voluntary quit" determination when you were clearly laid off - is happening a lot. Here's what I'd recommend based on what I've seen work: 1. **Get your employer involved ASAP** - Call your former HR department and ask them to verify what separation reason they reported to UC. Sometimes there's a miscommunication or clerical error on their end. 2. **Document everything** - Screenshot that dashboard message, save your layoff letter, and gather any emails about the department closure. You'll need this for your appeal. 3. **File that appeal within 15 days** but also try to resolve it faster through direct contact. The appeal is your safety net. 4. **Use the "Request Escalation" option** when you call - most people don't know this exists. After getting through (try Claimyr if regular calling doesn't work), specifically ask for your case to be escalated to a senior examiner for review. The fact that 20 people were laid off should make this pretty straightforward to verify. Your employer likely has records of the mass layoff that UC can access. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what - I've seen people lose months of benefits because they stopped filing during appeals. You've got good documentation so you should win this, it's just a matter of getting someone to actually look at your case properly.

I went through something very similar about 8 months ago - approved for UC benefits then suddenly hit with a "voluntary quit" disqualification even though I was clearly laid off due to company restructuring. It's incredibly frustrating and unfortunately more common than it should be. In my case, it turned out that when my employer submitted their response to the separation questionnaire, there was a coding error where they accidentally marked "quit" instead of "laid off" in their system. HR had to submit a correction form to UC, but it still took weeks to resolve even with clear documentation. A few things that helped me: - I got a written statement from my former supervisor confirming the layoff details - I requested a copy of the employer's response to UC (you can do this through a Right to Know request) - I kept detailed records of every phone call and interaction with UC The good news is that with 20 people being laid off, there should be plenty of documentation on your employer's end to support your case. Mass layoffs are usually well-documented for legal compliance reasons. Definitely keep filing your weekly claims during this process - I almost made the mistake of stopping and would have lost several weeks of back pay. The appeal process worked for me, but it took about 2 months total. Hang in there and don't give up - you have a strong case with proper layoff documentation!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out! PIN expiration catches so many people off guard. For future reference, you can actually set up email reminders in your dashboard settings to notify you 30 days before your PIN expires - might save you some hassle next time. The PA UC system definitely has its quirks but once you know the workarounds it gets a bit easier to navigate.

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me recently - if you're still having issues accessing your dashboard even after a PIN reset, try using the PA UC mobile app instead of the website. Sometimes the app works when the website doesn't, and vice versa. I was able to send messages through the app when the desktop site was giving me errors. You can download it from the app store by searching "PA Unemployment Compensation". Worth a shot if you're still stuck!

I'm in a similar situation - got hit with a $2,900 overpayment notice last week and I'm terrified. Reading through all these responses is actually giving me some hope though. @Aaron Lee your insider perspective is incredibly helpful! I had no idea about the 15-day deadline or that there were different types of waivers. @Avery Flores please keep us updated on how your application goes - I'll be watching this thread closely. Going to start gathering my financial documents today and submit the waiver ASAP. This whole system is so overwhelming when you're already struggling financially.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help everyone here - if you're struggling to gather all the financial documentation they want, your local library often has free financial counseling services that can help you organize everything. They helped me put together a clear monthly budget breakdown that showed exactly how much I had left after essential expenses (which was basically nothing). The counselor also knew about other assistance programs I could apply for while waiting for the waiver decision. And @Aaron Lee is absolutely right about that 15-day deadline - I almost missed it because I was trying to be perfect with my application. Submit it fast, then worry about perfecting the supporting docs!