I'm in a very similar boat! Got laid off from my warehouse job in December after 14 years, still working my part-time delivery gig on weekends, and just started an HVAC certification program. The whole UC system is so confusing when you're trying to better yourself! From what I've learned so far, you definitely need to keep doing those 2 weekly work searches even with school and part-time work. But I've been taking everyone's advice here about making them relevant - I focus on applying to maintenance positions at hospitals, schools, or office buildings where HVAC skills would be useful. Makes it feel less like busy work and more like I'm actually building toward something. The UC-1921W form is crucial - I just submitted mine last week after reading all these comments. Better safe than sorry, especially since it sounds like it protects you if UC questions your school schedule later. One thing that's helped me stay organized is using a simple notebook to track everything - my weekend delivery hours, what work searches I did each week, and any school-related activities that might count. Keeping it all in one place makes the weekly certifications way less stressful. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - it really helps to know we're not alone in trying to juggle all this stuff while getting back on our feet!

I'm dealing with a really similar situation right now! Got laid off from my logistics job in January after 11 years, still working my part-time evening cleaning job at a medical office, and just started a dental hygienist program. The work search requirement was stressing me out too, but after reading all these comments I feel way more confident about my approach. I've been focusing my applications on dental office positions - receptionist, dental assistant, or even sterilization tech roles. It's actually been helpful because I'm learning about different dental practices in my area and some have even mentioned they'd be interested in talking when I graduate! Definitely file that UC-1921W form ASAP. I submitted mine about a month ago and it gave me so much peace of mind knowing my program is officially documented with UC. The processing took about 3 weeks like others mentioned. One thing I've learned is to be super detailed when logging your work search activities. I write down the exact job title, company name, date applied, and how I applied (online, in person, etc.). Same with reporting my part-time hours - I keep a running total each week and double-check everything before submitting. It's tough juggling everything but reading all these success stories from people in similar situations gives me hope that we can make this work. The fact that so many people are using their layoffs to get into healthcare and skilled trades shows we're making smart moves for our futures! Good luck with nursing school - you're going to do great!

Good luck with your State Rep meeting tomorrow! I went through something similar when I had surgery last year and was on restricted hours. A few tips that helped me: 1. Bring copies of everything - your claim number, medical restrictions letter, pay stubs showing the hour reduction, and any correspondence from UC 2. Ask specifically for a case worker assignment or priority review - sometimes claims get stuck because they're not assigned to anyone 3. Get a reference number or case ID from the Rep's office so you can follow up My Rep's office actually called UC while I was in the meeting and got my claim escalated to a supervisor. It still took about a week to process after that, but at least things started moving. The key is having documentation that shows you're available for the limited work your doctor cleared you for. Also, once you do get approved, keep detailed records of your weekly earnings and certifications. The system can be glitchy with partial claims and you want to be able to prove everything if issues come up later. Hope it works out for you!

I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago after a car accident left me with temporary mobility restrictions. My doctor had me on 20 hours/week for about 2 months while I recovered. Here's what I learned: You absolutely CAN collect partial UC for reduced hours due to medical restrictions, even if it's not work-related. The key is that you're still able and available for work within your doctor's limitations. PA UC recognizes this as "underemployment" rather than "unemployment." A few things that helped speed up my claim: - I submitted my doctor's work restriction letter through the UC online portal under "documents" - Made sure to clearly state on my weekly certifications that I was working reduced hours due to medical limitations - When I finally got through to someone, I emphasized that I was actively working and looking for additional part-time opportunities within my restrictions The State Rep meeting is definitely worth it - they have direct lines to UC supervisors who can actually look at your file and identify what's holding it up. My claim was stuck because they needed verification from my employer about the hour reduction, but nobody told me that for weeks. One warning though: even after approval, it took about 3 weeks to get my first payment due to their processing backlog. But once it started, the payments were consistent. Hang in there - the financial stress is real but you should be eligible for help!

I'm in the exact same boat - filed 18 days ago and still waiting on employer verification. The uncertainty is the worst part because you can't plan anything or know if you should be applying for emergency assistance. Reading everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though, even if the timelines are all over the place. One thing I've been doing is keeping a detailed log of every time I call, who I speak with (if anyone), and what they tell me. I figure if this drags on much longer, having that documentation might be useful if I need to escalate or get my state rep involved. @Dylan Baskin - I'm definitely going to try the state rep route based on what Louisa said. At this point what do we have to lose? The regular UC phone system is clearly not working for any of us. Stay strong everyone, we'll get through this mess eventually!

I'm in week 3 of waiting for employer verification and this thread has been incredibly helpful - both for the practical advice and just knowing I'm not alone in this frustrating process. The range of timelines is pretty wild (2 weeks to 7 weeks!) but at least now I have realistic expectations. A few things I've learned from everyone's experiences that I'm going to try: 1. Contact my state rep's office next week if still no movement 2. Reach out directly to my former employer's HR to make sure they got the UC request 3. Look into emergency assistance programs while I wait 4. Keep detailed logs of all my calls and interactions The financial stress is real - I'm rationing groceries and my car payment is due next week. But reading Aurora's advice about mentioning severe financial hardship when I do get through gives me hope that maybe they can expedite things. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips. This community is a lifesaver when dealing with such an opaque and frustrating system. Will update when I finally hear something!

This thread has been SO helpful - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I came here totally stressed about potentially missing a filing deadline, and now I feel like I have a solid game plan. The Saturday 6pm filing option is honestly life-changing - I had no idea that was even possible! I'm going to implement pretty much everything suggested here: filing Saturday evenings around 7-8pm, setting up multiple phone reminders, keeping a little notebook for job applications throughout the week, and asking my husband to be my "filing buddy" backup reminder. Plus knowing about that 2-week grace period has taken away so much anxiety. I love how supportive this community is - you all took the time to share real experiences and practical tips instead of just saying "don't miss the deadline." The Saturday evening Netflix filing routine sounds perfect, and I'm definitely bookmarking that phone service someone mentioned just in case I ever need it as a last resort. Time to go set up those calendar alerts and enjoy my kid's soccer tournament stress-free! 🙌

Hey everyone! Just wanted to chime in as someone who's been dealing with PA UC for about 8 months now. This thread is absolutely golden - I wish I'd had this information when I first started! I actually discovered the Saturday 6pm filing window by accident when I was running errands one weekend and decided to check if I could file early. Game changer! Now I file every Saturday around 6:30pm while making dinner, and it's become such a stress-free routine. One small tip to add to all the amazing advice here: I screenshot my confirmation page every time I file, just in case there are ever any system glitches or questions about whether I filed on time. Takes 2 seconds but gives me extra peace of mind. Also, if you use the mobile site, it works just as well as the desktop version - I've filed from grocery store parking lots before when I remembered last minute! The 2-week grace period is definitely real, but honestly once you get into that Saturday evening routine, you'll never need it. Enjoy that soccer tournament knowing you're all set! This community really is the best for sharing practical help like this.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact nightmare last year! My employer also tried to claim I quit when I was clearly laid off during downsizing. The whole process took about 3.5 weeks, but I got approved once they reviewed all my documentation. A few things that helped me: 1) I kept a detailed log of every interaction with my employer leading up to the layoff, 2) I saved screenshots of any company communications about restructuring, and 3) I contacted my former coworkers who were also laid off to see if they'd be willing to provide statements if needed (I didn't end up needing them but it was good to have as backup). The waiting is absolutely brutal especially when bills are due, but hang in there! Your documentation sounds solid and the fact that you have multiple pieces of evidence (termination letter, supervisor texts, company email) puts you in a really strong position. Also definitely keep filing those weekly claims - I almost forgot one week and it would have been a huge hassle to fix later. Rooting for you!

Just went through this exact situation 2 months ago! My employer also incorrectly reported that I quit when I was actually laid off during a company restructuring. The whole process was incredibly stressful, but I eventually got approved after about 3 weeks. A few things that really helped me: 1) I made sure to upload EVERY piece of documentation I could find - not just the obvious stuff like termination letters, but also any emails about the restructuring, calendar invites for layoff meetings, even photos of any paperwork they gave me during the exit process. 2) I wrote a detailed statement explaining exactly what happened, with dates and names of people involved. 3) Most importantly, I kept filing my weekly claims religiously even though it felt pointless at the time. When I finally got approved, I received all the back pay for those weeks. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're stressed about money, but your documentation sounds really strong - termination letter + supervisor texts + company email should definitely work in your favor. Stay persistent and keep advocating for yourself!