Update: I finally got through to PA UC this morning after 1.5 hours on hold! The rep confirmed it IS supposed to be 48 hours for additional claims, but said my claim got stuck in their processing queue (exactly like some of you mentioned). She was able to release it right away and said I should receive payment within 2-3 business days for all weeks I've certified. Thanks everyone for your help and confirming I wasn't crazy about the 48-hour rule!

This whole thread is so helpful! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's crazy that PA UC reps are giving out such inconsistent information - you'd think they'd all be trained on the same procedures. The fact that multiple people have confirmed it's 48 hours for additional claims (when benefit amount stays the same) but then the system doesn't automatically process after that timeframe is just broken. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially Diego for coming back with the update. It's clear the key is calling and specifically asking them to check if your claim is stuck in the processing queue. Hopefully PA will fix their system so we don't all have to waste hours on hold just to get someone to push a button!

You've got it exactly right! That's a perfect summary of how partial unemployment works in PA. One small tip I'd add - when you're doing your weekly certification, make sure you're consistent with how you calculate your weekly earnings. If you work different hours each week, just report the actual gross pay for that specific week. Also, since you mentioned your benefit rate is $425 and you'll be earning about $380 weekly, you should still get around $273 in UC benefits each week (like Connor mentioned), which combined with your part-time pay should help bridge the gap until hopefully you can get back to full-time hours. Good luck with everything!

Hey QuantumQuest! I'm dealing with something similar right now - my hours got cut from 40 to about 25 per week last month. Just wanted to add that you should also keep track of your weekly work schedule/timesheets if possible. I learned this the hard way when UC asked me to verify my reported hours a few weeks ago. Having that documentation saved me from a potential headache. Also, don't stress too much about the work search requirement - there are lots of ways to meet it beyond just applying for jobs. I've been doing things like updating my LinkedIn profile, taking free online courses related to my field, and networking calls, which all count as valid work search activities. The key is just keeping good records of what you do each week. Hope your employer can get you back to full-time soon!

I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago with a closed Wells Fargo account! The stress is real when you have bills coming up. In my case, it took 9 business days total from when the bank returned the funds to when I got the paper check in my mailbox. What really helped me was calling Treasury directly (not UC) after about a week to confirm they had processed the check. They were able to tell me the exact date it was mailed, which gave me peace of mind. Also, definitely set up USPS Informed Delivery if you haven't already - you'll get an email every morning showing what mail is coming that day, so you'll know when to expect the check. For future payments, I switched to the ReliaCard after that mess and it's been smooth sailing ever since. Yes, there are some fees, but it's way better than dealing with returned deposits and paper check delays. Hang in there - your check is coming!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My payment got sent to my old Citizens Bank account that I closed last month. The bank rejected it yesterday and said it would be returned to Treasury by end of day. Reading through everyone's experiences here is really helpful - it sounds like I should expect about 7-9 business days for the paper check to arrive. I'm definitely going to call Treasury directly in a few days to check on the status, and I just signed up for USPS Informed Delivery based on all the recommendations here. For my next payment, I think I'll switch to ReliaCard to avoid this headache in the future. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines and tips - it's such a relief to know this is a common issue that gets resolved, even if it takes longer than we'd like!

Just wanted to add my congratulations as well! I'm brand new to this community and stumbled across your thread while researching my own UC appeal process. What an incredible journey you've been on - 2 years is absolutely mind-blowing, but your persistence really paid off! Your documentation throughout this whole process is going to be so valuable for others. The fact that you went from "VOTE IN PROGRESS" to "VOTE SUBMITTED" to actually receiving your approval letter gives such a clear picture of what that final stretch looks like. I'm especially grateful for the detail about the letter being dated just 3 days after the status change but taking nearly 2 weeks to arrive by mail - that's exactly the kind of practical info that helps manage expectations. Wishing you all the best with getting that backpay processed quickly! You've definitely earned it after such a long wait.

I'm completely new to this community and just wanted to say wow - what an incredible journey you've documented here! Reading through your entire experience from the initial 2-year wait to finally getting that approval letter is both heartbreaking and inspiring. As someone who's just starting to navigate the UC system myself, your detailed breakdown of what each status change means is absolutely invaluable. The fact that "VOTE SUBMITTED" essentially means the decision is done but you still have to wait weeks for mail delivery is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that helps newcomers like me set realistic expectations. Your persistence through such a frustrating process really shows that the system, while painfully slow, can eventually work. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your good news - it gives hope to others still waiting! Fingers crossed your backpay processes smoothly within those 14 days.

Just want to add that as someone who's been dealing with PA UC for a while, the system can be really frustrating but it does work once you understand the timing. The key thing is that you're not actually "missing" anything by having to wait until Sunday - that's just how their weekly filing schedule works. When you file on 3/2, you'll be claiming for the week ending 2/29, which includes those 3 days you worked. Make sure you have your exact gross earnings ready (before any taxes or deductions), and don't stress too much about the reopening process - it's pretty standard. The most important thing is accurate reporting of your earnings and work search activities. You've got this!

I went through something very similar when I was doing temp work last year! The waiting period after reopening a claim is totally normal - it's not that you missed your window, it's just how their system batches everything. When you file this Sunday, you'll be claiming benefits for the week that just ended (which includes those 3 days you worked). Just make sure you report your gross wages accurately and remember that in PA, you can earn up to about 30% of your weekly benefit amount before it starts reducing your payment. Also keep your pay stub handy in case they ever audit your claim later. The partial benefit system actually works pretty well once you get used to the timing!