Just wanted to add - if you're worried about the work search requirements being a hassle for such a short period, you can often count activities like updating your resume, taking online courses related to your field, or attending virtual job fairs. These all qualify as "work search activities" beyond just applying to jobs. Since you're only looking at maybe 3-4 weeks of claims, it's totally manageable. Good luck with your application!

Just went through this exact situation myself! Applied for UC while working part-time and having a future job lined up. Got approved within about 10 days and received benefits for the 3 weeks I was between jobs. The key is being completely honest on your application - I disclosed everything including my part-time hours and future start date. They actually have a specific question about whether you have work lined up, so they're used to dealing with this scenario. My weekly benefit was around $195 and I was earning about $120/week part-time, so I got a partial payment of roughly $85/week which was still super helpful for covering basics. Don't let the conflicting info here discourage you - every situation is different and yours sounds totally legitimate!

Just wanted to add one more consideration that might be helpful - since you mentioned this offer came without an interview and seems a bit rushed, make sure you get everything in writing before you start. Get a clear job description, the exact probation period terms, and what the evaluation criteria are for the probation period. Also, document your first day of work carefully because PA UC will want exact dates when you report your employment. Take a photo of your first paycheck stub too - it'll have your start date and employer info that UC might ask for later. I know the offer seems sketchy, but $22/hr is definitely better than UC payments, and from what others have shared here, it sounds like you should be able to resume your benefits if things don't work out. The fact that you're being proactive about understanding the rules puts you in a much better position than most people. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I've been through something similar! Last fall I took a temp-to-perm position that had a 3-week trial period while I was on UC. The job ended up being a disaster (they had me doing completely different work than advertised), and I was let go after 2 weeks. Here's what I learned: Keep ALL your paperwork from this job offer - the email from the recruiter, any offer letter, documentation about the 15-day probation period, everything. When I reopened my claim, PA UC asked for specific details about why the job ended and having that documentation made the process much smoother. Also, when you report your work on the weekly certification, be super precise with your dates and earnings. I made the mistake of estimating my hours the first week and it caused a flag on my account that took forever to resolve. One last thing - trust your gut about this job seeming sketchy. Even if it doesn't work out, at least you'll have tried, and based on what others are saying here, you should be able to get back on your original claim. The fact that you're asking these questions ahead of time shows you're being smart about it. Most people just wing it and end up in trouble later!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - uploaded documents for an unresolved issue 8 days ago and still waiting. The uncertainty is the worst part because you can't plan anything when you don't know if it'll be resolved tomorrow or in 2 months. One thing that helped me stay organized was keeping a log of every call I made, what rep told me what, and screenshots of my dashboard each day. That way when I call again I can reference exactly what I was told before. Also discovered that calling right at 8am sharp gives you the best chance of getting through - set multiple alarms! Really hope your husband's claim gets resolved soon. The stress of not knowing when money will come in while bills pile up is awful.

I went through this exact nightmare 3 months ago! My claim was stuck for 19 days after uploading documents for an "employment verification" issue. What finally worked for me was calling the UC office at exactly 7:59 AM and asking to speak specifically with a "claims examiner" rather than just any rep. Regular phone reps can only see basic info but can't actually process documents. The claims examiner was able to pull up my uploaded docs while I was on the phone and approve them immediately! Also want to echo what others said about contacting your state rep - that's not just a rumor, it really works. They have direct lines to UC supervisors. My neighbor got her 6-week delay resolved in 2 days that way. Hang in there - the back pay will come all at once when it's finally processed, and you won't lose any money as long as you keep filing weekly. The system is broken but you will eventually get what you're owed!

UPDATE: I got through to PA UC this morning (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - worked great). The agent told me my Fact Finder is "in the review queue" but couldn't give me a specific timeline. She did confirm they have everything they need from me and there's nothing else I need to submit. Just need to wait now. At least I know it's moving forward!

Been through this twice in the last 2 years unfortunately. First time took 5 weeks, second time only 3 weeks. The key thing I learned is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - every phone call, every document you submit, dates, times, who you spoke with. Also screenshot your dashboard daily in case anything changes or disappears. If they deny your claim initially, having that documentation trail makes the appeal process much smoother. Hang in there - I know the financial stress is brutal but most legitimate layoffs do get approved eventually.

I switched from Money Network to Chime for my PA UC payments about 5 months ago and it's been working great! The fees on Money Network were ridiculous - I was losing almost $20 a month between ATM fees and the monthly maintenance fee. A few things that helped me with the transition: 1. I made the change right after receiving a payment, giving myself a full two-week buffer 2. I kept detailed notes of exactly when I made the change and took screenshots of everything 3. I tested a small transfer to my Chime account first just to make sure the routing/account numbers were right The only hiccup I had was during the week of July 4th - my payment was delayed by one business day because of the holiday, but that would have happened with any bank. One bonus I wasn't expecting: Chime actually posts my UC payments about a day earlier than Money Network used to, so I usually get my money on Monday instead of Tuesday now. That early access feature has been a lifesaver for bill timing! If you're worried about the transition, maybe wait until right after your rent is due so you have maximum time buffer for the first Chime payment to come through?

I made the switch from Money Network to Chime for my PA UC about 4 months ago and honestly wish I'd done it sooner! The Money Network fees were eating into my already tight budget every month. Here's what worked for me: I made the change on a Sunday night around 9 PM when the PA UC website was running smoothly, right after I'd received my regular payment. I kept my Money Network card active for about a month just to be safe. The 7-day security hold is real - my first Chime payment came exactly 7 days later than usual, but after that it's been like clockwork. Now I actually get my payments on Sunday evenings instead of Monday afternoons because of Chime's early direct deposit feature. Since your rent is due in 10 days, I'd honestly wait until after that payment to make the switch. Better to deal with the Money Network fees for one more cycle than risk any delays with rent money. Once you make the switch though, you'll save so much on fees - I'm saving about $18 per month now! Make sure you have your Chime routing and account numbers written down correctly and take screenshots of everything during the process. The PA UC confirmation emails don't always come through.