Well, they aren't going to pay you if you don't file weekly claims. I think you can do it retroactively though.

FWIW My son got fired. Filed a claim immediately. Was out of work for about 8 weeks. Could never get through on the phone. The website just said there was an issue. He got a new job.

They finally paid his claim about 6 months later. So I wouldn't count on that money anytime soon. Sorry man. Hope things work out for you.

Alright, so if I'm in no hurry I should eventually get the money? That's all I was worried about

Wut?

Correct

If you are going to call, you need to call first thing in the morning. By 4, no one seems to answer any phone.

State offices, especially unemployment have been a nightmare since the pandemic started. It's crazy to me that it is still this way. I always felt like they only have two people who work there. Its stressful enough as it is losing a job and trying to find work, let alone trying to be honest with unemployment. What you have to do is start calling in the morning and redial all day and eventually you will get through and they will sort everything out for you.

Call your local State Rep and see if they can help you.

Thank you

Will consider thanks

Hopefully you do. I know during the pandemic it helped. Im not sure but I think they are transitioning to a new system.

Once they set you up and approve your application, you have to file weekly….that’s the way it works.

If you missed it, you should message them and ask for a form to file for retroactive pay.

Can I do that by phone or find a form online? I have a feeling if I email I'll never get a response

I think calling is worse from what I’ve read, just a waste of time.

I emailed the “help” email and they sent me the form within 2 months (yeah I know not great). I forget how long it took to get the money, but there weren’t any issues after I emailed back the form with my request for retroactive pay.

Also bear in mind this was at the height of people being laid off in 2020 during Covid, unemployment services were a mess. So I’d hope they’re faster now.

I'll try both email and calling right when their phone lines open and if nothing happens after a month I'll contact the a state rep

Don't consider. Do. At one point in my life we were dealing with the same issues with unemployment and one call to my state reps office, gave them my info, and magically I didn't even have to call the UI office, they called me, said everything was taken care of and I started receiving checks within a week. This was in Indiana not PA. But the basic factors are the same.

I'm not in a super hurry for this, but the 5,070 would definitely be life changing. I want a retroactive form or whatever it is so I know at least that I'll get this money

I'd not be so nonchalant about life changing money, but that's just me.

3 months of not filing weekly claims, may require a retroactive form at this point though

For sure. Just saying the state representative thing has worked for me.

This is what we had to do. Benefits Data Trust, an organization whose whole job is to help people access their benefits, told us it’s an ongoing problem and that the best thing to do is have your state rep’s office put in an inquiry to the Department of Labor. My partner got a call from the unemployment office the next dat with everything straightened out.