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make sure he keeps track of ALL hours worked and money earned!!! they'll ask for that every week when he files. my boyfriend got in trouble for estimating instead of being exact
One other thing to consider - if your husband belongs to a union, there might be additional benefits or programs available through them during this situation. Just something else to look into alongside the UC claim.
Quick update on Money Network cards since there's been some confusion: As of April 2025, PA UC has fully transitioned to the new Money Network card system. Any backpay related to claims filed after January 2025 will go to your card if that's your selected method. Pre-2025 claims might still follow the old system where larger amounts were sometimes sent as checks. This might explain why people have different experiences.
hey did u ever get ur money? im in the same boat now and want to know if its better to just select check instead of card
wait what form did u get? was it a UC-1697A? cause that one is for the telephone hearng not in-person. some people go to the wrong place and miss their hearng completely. double-check ur notice!!
Update: I just checked and mine is form UC-1697A so it IS a telephone hearing! Thanks so much for pointing that out - I would have shown up in person for nothing! The hearing is next Thursday at 10:15am. I'm gathering all my documentation now. Will let everyone know how it goes afterward in case it helps someone else.
Good catch! For telephone hearings, make sure you have good reception, are in a quiet place, and have all your documents organized and in front of you. The referee will typically call you within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. If they're running late, stay by your phone - they will still call you. Good luck!
My friend just went through the appeal process last month and she said to make sure you call and confirm they received your mailed documents at least once a week. They kept saying they didn't have her stuff but suddenly "found it" after she called for the third time. She ended up winning her appeal and got backpay for all 6 weeks.
One additional thing to note about PA UC appeals: if you win your appeal, be prepared for a delay of 2-3 weeks before any back payments are processed. It's a separate department that handles payment after appeals, and they're still working through backlogs. You may need to proactively contact them after receiving your favorable decision. Also, be sure to continue certifying for benefits every week during the entire appeal process, even though you won't receive payment until after a decision is made.
Mei Lin
Just a tip - when your new payments do start, remember they might be a different amount than your old claim. My new benefit year amount dropped by almost $65/week because I had worked less in the base year. The calculator on the PA UC site was pretty accurate though if you want to estimate it.
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Jamal Wilson
•Oh I hadn't even thought about that. I'll check the calculator. Thanks for the heads up!
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Liam Fitzgerald
One last thing - if your financial situation becomes dire during this gap, contact 211 (just dial 211 on your phone). They can connect you with emergency assistance programs in your area. Many counties have emergency rental assistance, utility payment help, and other crisis services specifically for situations like this. Don't wait until you're facing eviction or utility shutoff to reach out for help.
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Jamal Wilson
•Thank you so much for this information. I've never heard of 211 before, but I'll definitely call them. This whole experience has been humbling to say the least.
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