I'm going through this EXACT same thing right now! Just reported my first week of work yesterday and saw that dreaded "disqualified" status this morning - my heart literally dropped thinking I'd lost everything. I've been waiting 6 weeks for an examiner and really need those back payments. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief! It sounds like "disqualified" is just PA UC's terrible way of saying "you made too much this week" rather than "you're kicked out forever." I was about to stop filing my weekly claims but now I know that would be a huge mistake. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it's so reassuring to know others have gotten their full back pay even after starting work. The waiting game continues but at least now I'm not panicking that finding a job somehow ruined my eligibility for those previous weeks!

I'm in the EXACT same boat as you! Just found a job after 3 months of searching and when I reported my first week of earnings, boom - "disqualified" status appeared and I immediately thought I lost everything. I've been waiting 7 weeks for an examiner review and desperately need those back payments. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief - it's clear that PA UC just uses terrible wording and "disqualified" only applies to that specific week where you earned too much, not your entire claim history. I was literally about to call and ask if I should stop filing since I'm working now, but thankfully found this thread first. Sounds like the golden rule is to keep filing weekly until they officially close your claim or you forfeit your back pay. The stress of being behind on bills while waiting is real, but at least now I know others have successfully gotten their full back payments even after starting work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when PA UC's system is so confusing!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this exact situation! I had a balance of about $18,500 with a weekly rate of $580, so similar math to yours. When I called PA UC (after many attempts), the rep explained that the balance calculation includes your total monetary entitlement based on your base period wages, but the 26-week duration limit is separate and takes precedence. She said it's designed this way because in some states or during emergency extensions, you might be able to access that full balance, but PA's regular program is capped at 26 weeks regardless. I ended up finding work after 19 weeks, so I left about $4,000 on the table. It stings a bit knowing that money is just sitting there, but at least I'm back to earning a steady paycheck! Keep pushing on that job search - you've got this!

I'm in a similar boat right now - my balance shows way more than 26 weeks worth of benefits and I was getting confused about whether I could actually claim it all. Reading through everyone's explanations really helps clarify things. It's frustrating that the system displays this misleading balance, but at least now I understand it's just how PA calculates total monetary entitlement vs the actual duration limit. For anyone else confused about this, it sounds like the key thing to remember is that 26 weeks is the hard cap no matter what your balance shows. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's really helpful to learn from people who've been through this process!

One more important thing I forgot to mention: Make sure you've created your PA CareerLink profile BEFORE you file your first weekly claim. This is required for everyone on UC now, and if you don't have it set up, your payments can be delayed. Go to pacareerlink.pa.gov to register.

I went through something very similar in 2023. You're definitely eligible to file for UC since you're medically cleared and your employer doesn't have a position for you. A few things that helped me: 1. File your claim ASAP - don't wait. The sooner you start the process, the better. 2. When they ask about other income, be upfront about the workers comp settlement. Transparency is key. 3. Keep detailed records of everything - settlement docs, medical clearance, any communication with your employer. 4. Your claim will likely go into review status for a few weeks while they verify everything, but that's totally normal. In my case, the settlement didn't affect my weekly benefit amount because it was for the injury itself, not wage replacement. The review took about 3 weeks and then I got all my back pay. Just be patient with the process and keep filing your weekly claims even during the review period.

By the way, since your employer didn't show up, did the referee explain to you what that means procedurally? Sometimes they'll put on the record that the employer's absence means they can't contest certain facts. Did anything like that happen?

Just checking back - has your decision arrived yet? Most people should hear something within 5-7 business days. If it's been more than 10 business days, you might want to try contacting the Referee Office directly.

I'm in a very similar situation as a former gig worker and wanted to share something that might help. When I was researching this issue, I found out that Pennsylvania actually has a specific process for employment status determinations called "Request for Determination of Employment Status" (form UC-145). You can request this form when you call, or sometimes they'll start the process automatically if you explain your situation well enough. The key is to really emphasize the control aspects that Benjamin mentioned - the GPS monitoring, mandatory shifts, performance requirements, and uniform policies all point strongly toward employee classification. I've seen cases where delivery drivers were successfully reclassified retroactively, which not only qualified them for UC but also meant their company owed back taxes and penalties to the state. One more thing - if your delivery company is a major one (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.), there might already be ongoing cases or precedents in PA regarding their classification practices. The UC office will have more information about this when you call. Don't let them dismiss you quickly on the phone. Ask specifically for the employment determination process and be prepared to provide detailed examples of how your work was controlled. You've got a much stronger case than you initially thought!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help while you're waiting to get through to PA UC - the Department of Labor & Industry has a worker misclassification hotline at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Sometimes it's easier to get through there first to discuss whether you might have a misclassification case before dealing with the main UC phone system. They can also help you understand your rights if you were indeed misclassified - you might be entitled to back wages, overtime pay, and other benefits beyond just unemployment compensation. It's worth exploring all your options since it sounds like your delivery company was exercising significant control over your work. Also, keep in mind that if you do end up filing for an employment determination, the process can take several weeks, so don't wait if you need immediate financial assistance. Look into those local resources others mentioned (food banks, 211, emergency assistance programs) to help bridge the gap. Really hoping this works out for you - it's clear from reading this thread that there are way too many gig workers getting taken advantage of by companies that want all the control of having employees without any of the responsibilities that come with it.