Just to add a bit more clarity - the second determination (the $92 one) is almost certainly your correct amount due to the educational employee provisions others mentioned. But you should be aware that you'll need to report any part-time earnings when you file your weekly claims. The PA UC system will deduct a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit amount. Specifically, the first 30% of your weekly benefit rate doesn't reduce your benefits, but anything above that is deducted dollar for dollar. So if your WBR is $92, you can earn up to about $27 without reduction, then each dollar after that reduces your benefit by $1. Make sure you're accurately reporting all hours and earnings each week to avoid any overpayment issues down the road.

I work part-time at a university and went through something very similar when I reopened my claim last year. The two different determinations you received are totally normal - it's actually a good sign that the system is working properly! What happens is PA UC first calculates your benefit based on all your reported wages (that's your $148 determination), then they run a second calculation that applies all the specific eligibility rules for your situation. Since you work at an educational institution, they have to factor in the "reasonable assurance" provision for school employees, which is why your second determination dropped to $92. The second determination is definitely your correct amount. I'd recommend keeping both letters for your records, but go with the $92 when you're planning your budget. The timing of receiving them 20 minutes apart is actually pretty typical - their system processes these adjustments in batches. One tip: when you file your weekly claims, make sure you're reporting your college hours accurately. During summer when your hours are lower (10-15), you might qualify for partial benefits even while working. Just be super precise with your earnings reporting to avoid any issues later!

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for the advice! I contacted Legal Aid and they're reviewing my case to see if they can represent me. As a backup, I also found an attorney who does free 30-min consultations for UC cases. I've started doing my weekly claims again and keeping track of my work search activities. Will update after my hearing next month!

Great to hear you're making progress! One additional tip - when you have your hearing, make sure to speak clearly and stick to the facts. Don't get emotional or go off on tangents. The referee will ask specific questions about your work history and the reason for denial. Since you have documentation (W-2s, pay stubs) and a witness (your manager), you should be in good shape. Also, if Legal Aid can't take your case, that free consultation attorney might be worth the investment if they charge reasonably for the actual hearing. Good luck!

i think they do this on purpose to save money...my brother went thru something similar with construction work at a university and they tried to say he was a school employee too but he wasnt

Great outcome! This is exactly why it's so important to understand the distinction between where you physically work versus who your actual employer is. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - always check your paystubs and tax documents to see who is listed as your employer. If it's a staffing agency, temp agency, or contractor company, then YOU are not a direct employee of the school/educational institution, even if that's where you perform your work duties. This distinction makes a huge difference in your UC eligibility and benefit amounts.

Thank you so much! I'll definitely try this tomorrow morning. I'll ask specifically about the status escalation form if they can't transfer me to an examiner. I really appreciate everyone's help here - feeling a bit more hopeful now about getting this resolved!

I went through something similar with PA UC last year and it's absolutely maddening how long these additional claims can take. One thing that helped me was documenting everything - dates of calls, reference numbers, names of reps I spoke with. When I finally got through to someone who could help, having all that information made them take my situation more seriously. Also, if you do call your employer's HR department like someone suggested, ask them to confirm they received the UC-45 form and get a name/date when they say they'll submit it. Sometimes they genuinely don't realize how urgently you need it processed. The financial hardship angle is definitely worth emphasizing - I mentioned I was at risk of eviction and that seemed to get more attention than just asking about status. Keep pushing and don't let them brush you off with generic responses!

UPDATE: My payment finally switched from 'in process' to 'paid' today - took 9 days instead of the 4 days my first payment took. Still no explanation for the delay, but I'm just relieved it's coming through. Thanks everyone for helping me not panic! For anyone else seeing this who has the same problem, looks like patience is the answer as long as there are no open issues showing.

This is such a common worry for new claimants! I went through the exact same thing when I first filed - first payment was super fast, then the second one sat in limbo for what felt like forever. The system really does seem to do extra checks on that second payment. I'm glad yours came through! Just wanted to add that it's totally normal for payment timing to vary week to week even after you get into a rhythm. Some weeks mine would come in 2 days, others would take 6-7 days, all with no issues on my dashboard. The important thing is to keep filing your weekly certifications on time and not stress too much about the timing as long as there are no actual problems showing up.