Any update on your situation? Did you file the waiver yet?

Glad to see you're taking action! I went through something similar a few years ago and the key thing that helped me was getting everything documented properly. Since you mentioned it's about freelance work reporting, make sure you have copies of ALL your 1099s, bank deposits, and any correspondence you had with UC about reporting that income. Sometimes they have the dates wrong or misinterpret when the income was actually earned vs when it was reported. The non-fault classification is huge - that means they're acknowledging you weren't trying to deceive them. With non-fault overpayments, they're much more likely to approve waivers, especially if you can show genuine financial hardship. One thing I learned is to keep detailed records of every phone call, form submission, and letter. Get confirmation numbers for everything. The $25/month payment plan was smart - shows good faith while protecting you from garnishment. Best of luck with the waiver process!

This thread has been a lifesaver! I'm in my 4th week of benefits and just realized I've been making the exact same mistake as Sofia. I've been religiously applying to 2+ jobs every week but completely ignoring the separate work search activity requirement. After reading through all these responses, I feel much more confident about what I need to do going forward. The PA CareerLink workshop suggestion seems perfect - I actually found a "Networking Strategies" workshop for Friday that I'm going to register for today. I'm also going to set up job alerts on Indeed and LinkedIn as backup options for future weeks. The tracking spreadsheet idea is brilliant too - I'm creating one right now with columns for date, activity type, and documentation. For anyone else just discovering this like me: don't panic! It sounds like starting compliance now is what matters most. The fact that so many people have been confused about this shows how poorly the PA UC system explains these requirements. Thanks especially to @Dmitry Volkov @Victoria Jones @Carmella Popescu for the detailed breakdowns - you've made this way less overwhelming! Time to get compliant and stay that way! 💪

Just wanted to add my perspective as someone who went through a PA UC audit last year! I was randomly selected for review in month 3 of my claim, and they asked for documentation of ALL my work search activities going back to week 3. Fortunately I had been doing the workshops and keeping good records, but they were very thorough - they wanted dates, activity descriptions, and proof (certificates, screenshots, etc.). The whole process took about 2 weeks to resolve. My advice: definitely start complying correctly NOW and keep detailed documentation going forward. For the tracking spreadsheet everyone's mentioned, I'd recommend including: date, activity type, specific details (workshop name, job alert site, etc.), and file names of any saved documentation. The good news is that once you establish a pattern of compliance, they seem satisfied. I haven't had any issues since the audit, and my benefits continued normally. The PA CareerLink workshops really are the easiest option - they're free, usually interesting, and you get automatic documentation with the completion certificates. Don't let the confusion stress you out too much - just focus on doing it right from now on! 📝

my card took like 12 days to come after my payment date so dont panic if it doesnt show up right away

I went through this exact same situation last month! The envelope is super plain and generic looking - white envelope with "Money Network" and a Tennessee return address. No mention of PA unemployment anywhere on the outside. I almost threw mine away because it looked like a credit card offer! Pro tip: Once you get it and activate it, download the Money Network app right away. You can check your balance, transfer money to your bank account (takes about 2-3 business days), and even set up text alerts for when new payments are added. The transfer feature was a lifesaver for me since I prefer having everything in my regular checking account. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - mine took about 8 business days to arrive after my payment date. Hang in there, you're almost at the finish line after that long wait!

btw has anybody heard if PA is still backed up with claims? friend of mine waited like 3 months last year for benefits to start

I'm in a similar situation at my retail job - went from 28 hours to 14 suddenly last month. I filed for partial benefits and got approved, but wanted to share a few things I learned: 1. File online at www.uc.pa.gov - don't waste time trying to call, the website actually works well for partial claims 2. When they ask about reason for separation, select "lack of work" not "quit" or "fired" 3. Keep screenshots of your old schedule vs new schedule if possible 4. Yes, your employer gets notified but in my experience they expect it when they cut hours this drastically One thing that surprised me - I still had to do the work search requirements even though I'm still employed part-time. Make sure you're prepared for that! The good news is I got my first partial payment within 3 weeks of filing. Hang in there, this is definitely a valid claim and you shouldn't feel bad about filing for benefits you're entitled to.

And make SURE when you register that you verify your email right away!!! I didn't see the verification email (it went to spam) and my whole account got locked for like 10 days and I couldn't do my work search activities properly. Such a nightmare dealing with PA unemployment!!

Just went through this exact process last month! Here's what worked for me: Register as "Individual seeking Employment" first, then once that's set up, go back and add your UC claim connection. The system won't let you do both at once for some reason. For work search activities, I keep a simple notebook with columns for date, activity type, employer/website, and any contact info. Virtual job fairs definitely count - I attended one through PA CareerLink and it counted toward my weekly requirement. Also, pro tip: set up job alerts on multiple sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and PA CareerLink itself. Responding to those alerts can count as work search activity too. The key is just documenting everything you do job-search related. Good luck with your claim!