I'm really sorry to hear about your sudden layoff - that must be incredibly stressful when you're completely unprepared for it. I went through a similar situation about 8 months ago and can definitely relate to that scramble to understand all the unemployment details quickly. Everyone has given you excellent information about the benefits. Just to add a few practical tips from my experience: 1. When you file your initial claim, make sure to do it on a computer rather than your phone if possible. The mobile version can be glitchy and you don't want any technical issues during that important first filing. 2. Keep a notebook or digital file specifically for your unemployment journey. Document everything - when you filed, confirmation numbers, job applications, networking activities. This will save you so much stress later. 3. Consider this an opportunity to be selective about your next role. With 26 weeks of benefits and your solid work history, you don't have to take the first thing that comes along. You can actually focus on finding something that's a better fit. 4. Join some professional groups on LinkedIn related to your field. Participating in discussions and commenting thoughtfully on posts counts as networking activity for your work search requirements. The system can be frustrating, but with your 5-year employment history, you should have no problems qualifying for full benefits. This community has been incredibly helpful for people navigating PA unemployment, so definitely come back if you have questions. You're going to get through this!

I'm so sorry to hear about your sudden layoff - that's really tough when you're completely blindsided by it. I went through something similar about 3 months ago and completely understand that initial panic of trying to figure everything out. Everyone has given you fantastic information about the $784 maximum and 26-week duration. One thing I learned that might help - when you're gathering your employment documentation, also collect any performance reviews or commendation letters you might have. While they're not required for the UC application, they can be really valuable for your job search and help boost your confidence during interviews. Also, consider reaching out to your state representative's office if you run into any issues with your claim. I had a problem with my application getting stuck in the system, and their constituent services team was able to help get it resolved much faster than trying to call the UC office directly. The work search requirements might seem overwhelming at first, but I found that creating a weekly schedule helped a lot - like dedicating Monday mornings to job applications, Tuesday afternoons to networking, etc. It made the whole process feel more manageable and less chaotic. With your 5 years of solid employment history, you should definitely qualify for the full benefits. Try to stay positive - sometimes these unexpected changes end up leading to better opportunities. This community is incredibly supportive, so don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions along the way!

I'm actually going through something very similar right now! I'm 63 and just got notice that my position is being eliminated in 6 weeks. I've been putting off applying for Social Security because I wanted to keep working, but now I'm wondering if I should apply for both SS and unemployment when the time comes. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - especially hearing from people who actually went through this process successfully. The tax implications that Tyler mentioned are definitely something I need to research more. I'm also going to start organizing all my employment documentation now so I'm ready to file immediately when my job ends. One question for anyone who's been through this: did you find that being on Social Security affected how employers viewed you during the job search process? I'm worried that some employers might assume I'm not serious about working long-term if they know I'm collecting SS benefits.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread! As someone who's about to turn 65 and face unemployment for the first time in decades, I was really anxious about navigating both Social Security and unemployment benefits. Reading all of your real experiences and practical advice has been incredibly reassuring. I feel so much more prepared now - from knowing I can file UC the Sunday of my last work week, to understanding the work search requirements, to having my Social Security award letter ready. It's also comforting to know that I'm not alone in this situation and that many people have successfully managed both benefits. This community is such a valuable resource. I'll definitely pay it forward by sharing my experience once I get through the process myself. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to help!

I'm on day 4 of an IP investigation and this thread has been a total lifesaver! Like so many others here, I'm dealing with what I'm pretty sure is multi-state wage verification - I worked in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania last year. Reading @Toot-n-Mighty's success story and @Keisha Jackson's detailed timeline has given me such hope and a clear roadmap to follow. I've been trying the 8 AM calling strategy for the past two days with no luck yet, but seeing that it took @Keisha Jackson 12 days of persistent calling before getting through helps me stay motivated to keep trying. I'm also religiously filing my weekly claims and checking correspondence twice daily like everyone recommended. The consistent pattern of 2-4 weeks for multi-state wage verifications that I'm seeing in everyone's stories gives me realistic expectations instead of just worrying endlessly. If I can't get through by phone in the next week, I'm definitely going to try Claimyr based on all the positive feedback here from @Jamal Brown and others. It's incredible how this community has turned what felt like a complete nightmare into something manageable with clear steps and realistic timelines. Thank you all for sharing your experiences - knowing that pretty much everyone here eventually gets their investigations resolved makes this waiting period so much more bearable!

I'm on day 8 of an IP investigation and this thread has been absolutely incredible for keeping me sane! Like so many others here, I'm pretty sure mine is related to multi-state wages since I worked in both Florida and Pennsylvania during my base year. Reading through @Toot-n-Mighty's success story about getting their multi-state wage verification resolved in 5-7 days after speaking to someone gives me so much hope, and @Keisha Jackson's detailed 3 weeks and 2 days timeline with specific action steps has been invaluable. I've been following the 8 AM calling strategy religiously for the past 5 days with no luck yet, but knowing that @Keisha Jackson had to try for 12 days before getting through helps me stay persistent. I'm also continuing to file my weekly claims and checking my correspondence section twice daily like everyone recommended. The consistent 2-4 week timeline for multi-state wage verifications that I keep seeing in everyone's stories really helps manage my expectations instead of just panicking about bills. If I can't get through by phone in the next few days, I'm definitely going to try Claimyr based on all the positive experiences @Jamal Brown and others have shared. It's amazing how this community has transformed what felt like a complete disaster into something with clear steps and realistic hope. Thank you all for sharing your journeys - knowing that virtually everyone's multi-state investigations eventually get resolved makes this stressful waiting period so much more manageable! I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim 3 weeks ago and just got through to someone yesterday (took 38 calls!) who told me my employer never responded either. I was laid off due to "company restructuring" and have been so anxious about the outcome. Reading Romeo's success story and everyone else's experiences here is incredibly reassuring! It's amazing how much less stressful this feels when you can learn from people who've actually been through it. I've been filing my weekly claims and doing work searches, but wasn't sure if I was doing everything right. Going to upload my layoff documentation to the dashboard today based on all the advice here. This thread is honestly a lifesaver - the waiting game is so nerve-wracking but knowing that non-responsive employers usually work in our favor gives me hope. Thank you to everyone for sharing your real timelines and experiences!

This thread has been such a goldmine of information! I'm currently in week 2 of waiting after being told my employer didn't respond to PA UC's request. I was laid off when my company had to cut costs and eliminate several positions, including mine. Reading Romeo's success story and everyone's detailed timelines really helps ease the anxiety of not knowing what to expect. It's so reassuring to see that non-responsive employers typically work in our favor rather than against us. I've been keeping up with my weekly filings and work search activities since day one, but honestly had no idea about uploading documentation to the dashboard until reading this thread - doing that first thing tomorrow! The 8am calling tip is also incredibly helpful for anyone still trying to get through to speak with someone. Thanks to everyone for sharing their real experiences and creating such a supportive space for people navigating this confusing process. The waiting game is brutal but all these success stories give me hope that I'll be posting good news soon too!

I'm currently on week 7 and this thread has been absolutely crucial - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed real experiences! Like so many others here, I had no clue about the harsh 26-week cutoff regardless of remaining balance. I still have about $8,500 left and was naively thinking I could stretch that out for months. Reading about people losing thousands of dollars at week 26 is terrifying but SO important to know now while I can still do something about it. I'm immediately shifting from casual job browsing to treating this like a full-time emergency. Starting tomorrow I'm setting daily application goals, reaching out to my network, and looking into temp agencies as backup. The anxiety is definitely kicking in but having 19 weeks left feels manageable if I use the time strategically. One question for those who've been through this - should I be applying to jobs that are below my previous salary level now, or wait until closer to the deadline? I'm torn between being strategic about my career vs. ensuring I have income after week 26. This community's honesty has been a wake-up call I desperately needed!

@Angelina Farar As someone who's been through this exact situation, I'd strongly recommend applying to jobs below your previous salary level NOW rather than waiting. I made the mistake of being too picky early on and it nearly cost me everything. The reality is that you can always negotiate up once you have leverage, but having NO income after week 26 puts you in the worst possible negotiating position. Plus, taking a lower-paying job doesn't mean you stop looking - you can continue searching for better opportunities while having steady income. Many people I know used "stepping stone" jobs to avoid that financial cliff, then moved to better positions within 6-12 months. The key is keeping cash flowing so you're not desperate. Also consider that some lower-paying positions might lead to unexpected opportunities or help you build new skills. With 19 weeks left, you have time to be somewhat selective, but don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Cast a wide net salary-wise and focus on finding something sustainable rather than ideal. Your future self will thank you for having income on week 27!