Just to add some reassurance - I went through this exact same confusion back in February! The PA UC system is really poorly explained on their website. Like everyone else said, you'll automatically get the Money Network card for your first payment even with direct deposit set up. Mine took exactly 12 days to arrive, so you're right in the normal timeframe. The envelope really does look like junk mail - it's just a plain white envelope with "Money Network" in small print. I almost threw mine away! Once you get it, definitely use the mobile app to transfer the funds rather than trying to use their website. Much smoother experience. Hang in there, it's coming!

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who went through this exact same confusion a few months ago! The PA UC system really needs better communication about this process. You're absolutely right to be confused - it makes no sense that they automatically send a debit card when you've already set up direct deposit. But yes, it's completely normal and automatic. Mine took about 2 weeks to arrive, and like others mentioned, the envelope is very plain - just says "Money Network" in small letters. I was checking my mailbox obsessively every day! Once you get it, the PIN comes separately a couple days later. The good news is all your future payments will go straight to your bank account as expected. Just be patient - the system is slow but it does work eventually.

I've been dealing with PA UC for about 8 months now and can add that if you're ever worried about timing, you can also check the Money Network app/website directly - it usually shows pending deposits before they actually post to your balance. That way you know it's in the pipeline even if it hasn't hit yet. Also worth noting that if you switch from the Money Network card to direct deposit to your own bank, the timing might change depending on your bank's processing schedule. Glad everything worked out for you OP!

Just want to add that timing can also vary if there are any state holidays or federal banking holidays. I learned this the hard way when my payment date fell on Presidents Day weekend - took an extra day because banks were closed. PA UC still processes on their end but the card company follows banking schedules. Always good to check if there are any upcoming holidays that might affect your deposit timing!

I'm so sorry you're going through this stressful situation! As someone who works with unemployment cases, I want to emphasize what others have said - definitely reopen your claim immediately and start filing weekly certifications again. Your appeal is absolutely still being processed even with an inactive claim status. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: when your appeal decision finally comes through (and it sounds like you have a strong case given your employer's no-show), make sure you're ready to act quickly. Sometimes there are additional steps required after a favorable appeal decision, like identity verification or updating your banking information. Having everything current will help you get your benefits flowing as soon as possible. Also, don't let the "hiring now" signs fool you - the job market is incredibly competitive right now despite what employers advertise. Keep applying broadly and don't take the lack of callbacks personally. Many companies are getting hundreds of applications for each opening. Stay strong and keep fighting for what you're entitled to. The system is frustrating and slow, but you're doing everything right by seeking advice and staying persistent. You've got an entire community here rooting for you! 💙

I'm really glad you found this community and are getting such helpful advice! I went through a similar situation about 6 months ago - employer made false claims, I appealed, and then got completely confused about whether to keep filing while waiting. The advice everyone's giving you is spot on: reopen that claim TODAY and start filing weekly certifications immediately. I made the mistake of letting my claim sit inactive for almost a month while waiting for my appeal, and I lost those weeks permanently even though my appeal was eventually approved. One small tip that helped me - when you reopen online, write a brief note in any comment section explaining you were waiting for appeal results and weren't sure about filing procedures. It won't get you those missed weeks back, but it shows you weren't just ignoring the system. The waiting is absolutely brutal, especially when you're dealing with financial stress and job hunting rejection. But from everything you've shared, your case sounds really strong. Employer no-show with no evidence? That's usually a win for the claimant. Keep your head up and keep applying to jobs - the market really is tough right now despite all the "now hiring" signs. You're doing everything right by advocating for yourself. This community has been a lifesaver for so many of us navigating this broken system! 💪

Regarding the thermometer disappearing - I just checked with a friend who works at the PA UC office (not officially speaking for them). She said they actually rolled out a small website update last week that's been causing the thermometer to disappear for some users. It's a known issue they're working on fixing. So in your case, it's likely just a display glitch rather than anything wrong with your claim.

Congrats on getting approved Isabella! This is a perfect example of why people shouldn't panic when the PA UC website acts up. I've been filing claims for 3 years and honestly that thermometer disappears at least once every few months for various reasons - system updates, server issues, you name it. The real info is always in your UC mailbox and claim status, not the pretty graphics. Glad everyone here could help talk you through it instead of letting you stress out for days!

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.

I went through this exact nightmare 6 months ago and here's what finally worked: contact your state representative AND your state senator simultaneously. Don't wait - do both on the same day. My state rep took 2 weeks to respond but my senator's office called me back within 48 hours and had my claim resolved in 10 days. When you contact them, be very specific about your financial hardship (mention rent due dates, utility shutoff notices, etc.) and have ALL your documentation ready: claim number, SSN, dates you filed, screenshots of your pending status, and a timeline of every attempt you've made to reach UC. The authorization forms are crucial - most offices email them to you immediately. Also, don't give up on the regular UC phone lines entirely - try calling the Spanish language line even if you don't speak Spanish, then ask to be transferred to English support. Sometimes those lines have shorter wait times. The whole system is designed to frustrate people into giving up, but these elected offices really can bypass the regular bureaucracy. Stay persistent!