Thank you! Yes, my issue is definitely about qualifying wages. I was working at the same place for 18 months before being laid off, so I don't understand why they said I didn't have enough qualifying wages. Hopefully I can get this sorted out at the hearing.

I'm going through a similar situation right now - filed my appeal about 10 days ago and also stuck in "awaiting review" status. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking at the same time! It sounds like the 5-8 week timeline is pretty standard. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I've been keeping a detailed log of all my interactions with the UC system, including dates I filed claims, when I submitted my appeal, and any phone calls I've made. This has been helpful for my own sanity and I think it'll be useful documentation if I need to escalate anything later. Also, for anyone else dealing with wage disputes like the original poster - make sure you understand exactly which quarters they're looking at for your "base year." Sometimes the timing of when you apply can affect which wages they consider, and it's not always intuitive. The PA UC handbook has a section explaining this but it's pretty confusing to read through. Hang in there everyone - sounds like persistence is key with this process!

so did u get ur money yet? im curious cuz i just switched to direct deposit too and wondering if its faster than what everyone says

That's great news that it came through on Tuesday as expected! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - I've found that setting up text alerts with your bank can help you know the exact moment your deposit hits. Most banks offer free mobile alerts for deposits over a certain amount. It really helps with the anxiety of waiting for unemployment payments, especially when you have bills due!

One last thing to consider - there are two distinct credits that people often confuse: the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). While both require earned income, they have different rules. With your situation, you should definitely speak with a tax professional who can look at your specific numbers and help you maximize your eligible credits. Some free tax prep services like VITA might be available in your area if cost is a concern.

Just wanted to add that if you're looking for quick ways to earn that extra $400 to reach the $2,500 threshold, consider gig work like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart. These platforms let you work flexible hours around your UC schedule, and the income counts as self-employment earnings. You'll get a 1099 at year-end which makes tax reporting straightforward. Just remember to track your expenses (gas, mileage, etc.) since you can deduct them as business expenses. And definitely report all earnings to PA UC when you file your weekly claims!

Interesting thread. I actually wrote an appeal letter last year for my husband when he got hit with a $5,300 overpayment notice from his 2020 claim. We won the appeal but never thought to ask about getting the remaining funds. Now I'm curious if we missed out on something! Btw @profile1 I used that Claimyr thing you mentioned when we were dealing with the appeal. It actually worked - got through to someone in like 15 minutes when we'd been trying for weeks.

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and this thread has been really helpful! Just wanted to add that I called PA UC last week about my waiver status and the rep specifically told me that even if approved, expired benefit years can't be reopened - which matches what most people are saying here. The confusing part is that some reps seem to give different information, but the consensus seems to be that waiver approval = no repayment required, but doesn't restore access to unused benefits from years ago. @Ashley Simian at least you got that huge relief of not having to pay back $4,200! That's still a major win.

UPDATE: I finally got through using that Claimyr service someone recommended! It actually worked - got me through to a real person at PA UC in about 20 minutes instead of calling for days. The agent was super helpful and did everything in one call: updated my address, scheduled my RESEA appointment for next Tuesday, and noted in my file that I never received the original notice due to the address issue. She said my payments should resume after I complete the RESEA appointment. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help with this nightmare situation.

So glad to see your update about getting through with Claimyr! I've been following your situation and was really worried about how stressed you were. That's exactly what I was hoping would happen - getting everything handled in one call is such a huge relief when you're dealing with this mess. Just a heads up for your RESEA appointment next Tuesday: bring printed copies of EVERYTHING. Job applications, emails from employers, your work search log, and definitely those emails proving your employer terminated you (not resigned). The counselors love documentation and it shows you've been taking the requirements seriously. Also, since your payments should resume after the appointment, make sure to keep filing those weekly claims like others mentioned. I learned that lesson the hard way during my own UC nightmare last year. Hope your attorney gets some movement on the appeal soon too. Employers lying about termination reasons when FMLA is involved usually backfires on them pretty badly once it gets to a hearing!