UPDATE: I finally got this resolved! For anyone with similar issues: I used the Claimyr service that someone suggested here and actually got through to a human at PA UC. Turns out there was a flag on my account because my address had changed since my last claim, which was causing the Money Network verification to fail. The UC agent removed the flag and had me call Money Network directly with a special code. Got my card working within an hour after that! Thanks everyone for the help!

Wow, glad you got it sorted out! I'm dealing with a similar Money Network headache right now - been trying to access my card for 3 days. The address change flag issue is really helpful to know about. I moved apartments between my last claim and this one, so that might be exactly what's happening to me. Going to try that Claimyr service tomorrow morning. Thanks for posting the update - it's so frustrating when you can't get answers from the system but other people's experiences really help!

I'm new to this community but had to jump in because your situation is infuriating and unfortunately way too common. What you're dealing with is a classic employer intimidation tactic - they give you one story during termination, then completely flip the script after you file for benefits hoping you'll just give up. The fact that your boss explicitly told you they "wouldn't be against" your unemployment claim is absolutely MASSIVE evidence in your favor. No employer who legitimately fires someone for misconduct turns around and says that. It's basically a confession that they didn't consider your termination misconduct-related when it actually happened. Then having HR try to walk it back saying the manager "misspoke"? That's just them realizing they screwed up and trying to cover their tracks. But here's the thing - that email actually HELPS your case because it confirms the conversation happened and shows they're scrambling to change their story after the fact. The timing of everything tells the real story. If there was genuine rule violation serious enough to fire you for, why wasn't it mentioned during your termination? Why did they wait until AFTER you filed to suddenly "discover" this misconduct? It's so obviously about avoiding their unemployment insurance costs. Document every detail of that conversation where they said they wouldn't oppose your claim. Keep filing your weekly claims no matter what. And definitely request your personnel file - if they had legitimate grounds for misconduct, there should be documentation of warnings or discipline leading up to it. You've got this! Don't let them win through intimidation - the UC examiner is going to see right through their bad faith contest.

I'm new to this community but your situation really hits home for me because I went through something almost identical last year! That "rule violation" status is definitely intimidating when you first see it, but it's really just the system's way of flagging that your employer has contested your claim - it doesn't mean you actually did anything wrong. What's most striking about your case is the clear pattern of your employer changing their story after you filed for benefits. They went from "going in a different direction" during termination → telling you they "wouldn't be against" your UC claim → HR saying the manager "misspoke" → suddenly discovering "rule violations" only after you filed. That timeline alone is going to look incredibly suspicious to the UC examiner. That conversation where your boss explicitly said they "wouldn't be against" your claim is probably your strongest piece of evidence. It's essentially an admission that they didn't consider your termination misconduct-related when it actually happened. No legitimate employer fires someone for willful misconduct and then tells them they won't oppose their unemployment benefits! My advice based on my own experience: document every single detail about that conversation (exact date, time, location, who was present, exact words used), keep filing your weekly claims religiously, and definitely request your personnel file via certified mail. If they truly had grounds for misconduct termination, there should be documentation of progressive discipline leading up to it. The fact that they shut down your email access so quickly is another red flag that actually works in your favor - it looks like they're trying to prevent you from accessing evidence that might contradict their new story. Don't let their scare tactics work! The determination interview is where you'll get to present all this evidence of their contradictory behavior. You've got a really strong case here - stay confident and keep fighting!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar issue where the PA UC system shows I missed a week that I definitely filed. Reading everyone's experiences and solutions gives me confidence that this can be resolved. A few things I'm taking away from this discussion: - Document everything (screenshots, emails, call logs) - The two-week deadline for backdated claims is crucial info - Try calling at different times/days (mid-week afternoons seem better) - Services like Claimyr can help get through to reps faster - System glitches are unfortunately common but fixable It's frustrating that we have to work around these technical issues, but I'm grateful this community exists to share solutions. The PA UC system definitely needs improvement, but at least we can help each other navigate these problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps reduce the stress and panic when you think you might lose a week's benefits!

I'm new to the PA UC system and this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea that system glitches causing missed filings were this common. The information about the two-week deadline for backdated claims is especially valuable - that's definitely not something that's clearly explained anywhere on their website. What really stands out to me is how this community has developed workarounds and strategies to deal with these issues. The advice about calling at specific times, using services like Claimyr, and keeping detailed documentation seems like essential knowledge that should honestly be part of the official UC guidance. It's reassuring to see that even when the system fails, there are real people who can help fix these problems if you're persistent enough. Though it shouldn't have to be this difficult! Hopefully sharing these experiences helps others avoid the panic and stress that comes with thinking you've lost a week's benefits due to a technical glitch. Thanks to everyone who contributed their solutions and experiences - this is exactly the kind of practical advice that makes all the difference when you're navigating this system!

This entire thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! As someone who's been on PA UC for about 2 months and has been dreading this exact vacation scenario, seeing so many real experiences shared here has completely transformed my anxiety into confidence. What really stands out is how unanimous everyone's advice is - always file your weekly claim and be completely honest about your availability, even if it means getting $0 for that week. The consistency across all these different experiences really proves this is the established, reliable approach. The early filing tip (up to 4 days before the week ends) has been mentioned by so many people and sounds like the perfect solution for avoiding internet connectivity stress while traveling. I'm definitely going to use that for my upcoming trip in April! Also love the idea of taking screenshots for peace of mind - such a simple but smart way to have documentation. It's clear that PA UC is actually designed to handle vacation situations smoothly when you're truthful about it. All the problems people mentioned came from skipping weeks entirely, never from honest filing that results in $0 payment. This community is incredible for sharing real-world experiences that you just can't get from the confusing UC website. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their stories - you've helped so many of us navigate this stressful situation with confidence!

Wow, this thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently on PA UC and have been putting off planning any trips because I was so confused about how to handle the filing situation. After reading through everyone's experiences, I'm amazed at how straightforward this actually is when you know what to do. The key message is crystal clear: always file your weekly claim and be completely honest about your availability, even if it means getting $0 for that week. What really gives me confidence is seeing how many people have successfully done this without any issues whatsoever. The early filing option (up to 4 days before the week ends) is brilliant - I had absolutely no idea that was possible! This is going to make planning future trips so much less stressful. I also love all the practical tips like taking screenshots for peace of mind. It's incredible how this one discussion has transformed what seemed like a scary UC nightmare into a totally manageable process. Thank you to everyone who shared their real experiences - you've helped more people than you probably realize!

I won my Board of Review appeal after a referee denial about 18 months ago! The referee said my job "restructuring" wasn't grounds for UC, but my case was actually quite similar to yours - they changed my position from full-time salary to part-time hourly which cut my income by about 55%. The Board completely overturned the referee's decision. What really helped was that I organized my appeal around three main points: 1) The legal error the referee made (misapplying the "substantial change" standard), 2) The factual evidence (pay stubs, job descriptions, budget breakdown), and 3) Citing the specific PA UC regulation that supported my case. Your 62.5% hour reduction is absolutely substantial - that's way beyond the threshold. I'd definitely recommend getting that appeal filed before your 15-day deadline. The wait is tough (mine took about 11 weeks) but totally worth it when you win. Don't let one referee's wrong decision discourage you from pursuing what you're legally entitled to!

Reading through all these success stories is giving me so much hope! I'm dealing with a similar situation where my employer cut my hours from 38 to 16 per week (about 58% reduction) and I'm waiting for my referee hearing next week. The advice about calculating exact percentages, citing Section 402(b), and creating detailed budget breakdowns showing monthly expenses vs. reduced income is incredibly valuable. It sounds like the key is being very specific about WHY the referee's decision was legally wrong, not just disagreeing with it. @Zara Shah your 62.5% reduction case sounds rock solid based on everything people are saying about the 30% threshold - definitely worth appealing! I'm bookmarking this thread to reference when I (hopefully don't) need to file my own Board appeal. Thank you everyone for sharing such detailed experiences and practical advice!