PA Unemployment is depressing and should be reworked

Submitted by DigitalDash18 t3_zq9lv4 in Pennsylvania

The entire system is so outdated and it doesn’t give you any clear answers on what you should be doing or what you have done whether it’s been successfully submitted. I was laid off on December 8th, filed the 19 for the week prior (11th-18th) since that was the first week without work. However, upon what I think was my finished application I submitted it. However, haven’t received an email regarding it being successfully submitted, it’s not showing up anywhere on my unemployment profile. It makes you not want to even apply for unemployment and trying to get into contact with them over the phone is impossible

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[deleted] t1_j0wzdlm wrote

[deleted]

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DigitalDash18 OP t1_j0wzh6g wrote

It’s so sad honestly, like why make it so hard

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oppiewan t1_j0x0uan wrote

What's sad is this is best Republicans will allow. The issues could be fixed. Tommorow. Hire more phone reps. Staff the number 16 hours a day.

Call your rep. And or state Senator . I hope they're a democrat.

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DigitalDash18 OP t1_j0x0w12 wrote

I’m going to call tomorow

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Roborobob t1_j0xay6o wrote

doing so got me to the front of the line for unemployment services. Called my state rep and complained. Instead of waiting for hours on the phone the PA unemployment office called ME.

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Ok_Crew_3620 t1_j0ylkfy wrote

You should also call your district rep and complain. I did the same thing when it was shit two years ago. Shit then. Shit now. I’m from a state where it was so clean and easy I couldn’t believe what I was dealing with here

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Specialist-Extent299 t1_j10z66r wrote

Well, hopefully the dems can fix it. With a democrat governor taking over from a democratic governor, it should be fixed with haste.

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oppiewan t1_j13ik3d wrote

Take heart. This is the level of stupidity you are competing with for work.

Blaming the governor after 12 years of Republicans ruling the legislature like Authoritarians.

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Manowaffle t1_j10nfgf wrote

Same reason they make voting so needlessly hard, they want to claim to have the thing, but don't want people to actually use it. If you don't have UI in your state, that's monstrous! But if a few thousand people can't fill out the unnecessary yet requisite paperwork and meet the arbitrary and meaningless deadlines, well that's just their own fault isn't it?

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Ginkpirate t1_j0x2uet wrote

It's broken on purpose. They don't really want you getting something you paid into.

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ronreadingpa t1_j0x75vi wrote

Broken on purpose I agree. However, employers pay in the vast majority of funds to UC.

2%-10% of the first $10,000 of an employee's taxable wage. For an employee earning say $40,000 the employer would pay $200-$1000 (around $500 being most likely) while the employee would pay $24 (0.06%; 0.07% in 2023). In some states, employees pay in zero.

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sandmanrdv t1_j0xzvd3 wrote

What did you pick as your preferred correspondence method? Inbox, inbox with email or postal mail? Look in the message center on your dashboard. You should have a Claim Confirmation letter and a financial determination.

If your last day of work was the 8th, you wanted to submit the initial application during the week of 12/11 to 12/17. Application date is backdated to the Sunday of the week you apply. If you didn’t apply till this week, your application date is 12/18. You aren’t going to be able to claim week ending 12/17 without trying to get backdating.

Log in to your dashboard and click on Benefits Summary. Scroll down to the Open Issues table. Do you see anything? If not, you should be good. I suggest using a laptop or tablet to check this. The Open Issues section is a table and if there’s something there it is really hard to read on a phone.

Your claim application date will be shown under benefits summary as well. If you got a claim confirmation and your financial determination says you’re eligible and you don’t have any Open Issues, there’s no need to call.

On Sunday log in, click File Weekly Claim. Remember, first week of every new claim is the unpaid waiting week, so if your application date is 12/18, then week ending 12/24 will be your waiting week and week ending 12/31 will be your first payable week.

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silverbull-it t1_j0xk98p wrote

I had to contact my local state representative to receive my benefits. I had a unresolved issues for 3 months after I got laid off (so I wasn't getting paid). After I talked to the state representative office my issue was resolved in the same day. I actually had a manager from the unemployment office contact me to resolve the issue. The Unemployment office is impossible to get ahold of I encourage you to contact your state representative.

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mmbg78 t1_j0zejwh wrote

Agreed. I tried for weeks to get thru but one call to my state rep and I got a call next day..

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yeags86 t1_j0x7fhy wrote

You can’t claim your first week after being laid off. Unemployment doesn’t start immediately, you need to apply with a date of the 16th or later.

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DigitalDash18 OP t1_j0x7h78 wrote

I applied today the 19th

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Del_O t1_j0xa93w wrote

Apply ASAP no matter what. Your waiting week will not be paid, but you should be fine after that.

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B-Eze t1_j0x5fhn wrote

This is the new system system introduced last year. We need to go back to the system of 10 tears ago, so simple and effective.

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Top_File_8547 t1_j0yjwdb wrote

Has unemployment service gone downhill in the last couple years? I was on unemployment from late 2020 to March 2021. I signed up my first eligible date and started getting checks until I was employed again. This was early Covid so maybe the system wasn’t as stressed.

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JMPship t1_j0z1ppa wrote

I haven’t filed for unemployment since 2008 but it was like having a full time job just trying to get ahold of them at that time. I can only imagine how hard it is now.

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Fearless-Metal5727 t1_j0zli32 wrote

For those that can't get through on the phone, download an automatic redialer. It's seriously a great help. There were times it redialed 255 times before I was able to get through. Then an hour wait but I did get through.

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Wuz314159 t1_j0xei04 wrote

I spent 15 months of Covid lock-down fighting that thing. To the point where I couldn't pay my property taxes & the county wants to take my house. Now I'm paying 100% of my annual income in taxes.

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thaiatom t1_j0zur69 wrote

It sucks but you have to call. It’s going to be busy the first 1000 times you call but keep at it. I just went through this with UC. Call and talk to someone to confirm everything and get your claim right. It’s a major pain in the ass but it’s your best option.

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Ess_K t1_j0zv6qh wrote

Call them, wait on hold for a couple of hours. You'll be able to talk to someone who will get all of your questions answered and problems sorted.

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Beneficial-Recipe770 t1_j0xbwg1 wrote

Filed Nov 4th and crickets. The phone line is always busy and disconnects. Probably will reach out to a state rep this week because my patience has worn out.

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discogeek t1_j0yo5zb wrote

You should have contacted your state rep on Nov 4.

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AvoCunto t1_j103f26 wrote

Lol this is like trying to get ahold of PennDot all agents are busy go eff yourself. Can’t even hold. It’s absurd

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ViolettheJerseyNun t1_j0ysvv8 wrote

Got laid off two weeks ago. I was last unemployed before the pandemic so they still have all my old contact info on file. I think it’s absurd that you can’t even update your own address and phone number without calling or filling out a form at CareerLink that you can only fill out once. Well I am going to be moving soon, so…that sounds illogical. I think they went wayyy too far with the new “fraud prevention” measures.

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Powerful_Ad6877 t1_j0xozn3 wrote

Wrong move that is what they’re hoping you’ll do. Make sure you file each weak regardless if they pay you because then they have to give you the back support, but you have to make sure you have filed first and you should be able to see you submitted work.

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vasquca1 t1_j0yn5p3 wrote

Are their any offices you can visit?

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art-man_2018 t1_j0yopv0 wrote

How can it be 'outdated' when it was just "upgraded"?/s

I understand your pain, I as with many had to file when lock downs started and that was actually easy since I had gone through the old system before... then they "upgraded" to a new web site, had to start all over again and almost every step was a glitch in the new set up. Passwords didn't work, claims were not being processed. Spent days (WEEKS) on the phone to get $3,000 of claims stuck in the system.

Everyone who says 'this is how it is supposed to work because they want you to work' is correct. But "upgrading" during a pandemic was not a brilliant idea.

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dayoftheduck t1_j0yubnd wrote

I applied mid November. Still haven’t heard anything. But I have an interview today and tomorrow so not really banking on unemployment to come through anyway. During the Covid thing my wife was laid off, she was on the phone everyday for 3 months and all she got was different answers on what needed done. Another 2 months of getting all the info of what different people would tell her and still nothing. Finally she gets a new job after her surgery recovery was over which was a total of 8 months from her lay off til then. Never received anything for it. She called all the time, sent letters to our local representatives and never got anywhere. The system is only in place for the people who know how to work it and usually end up on welfare anyway.

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GIDAMIEN t1_j0z02og wrote

I have an outstanding claim that says it's been processing for over 14 weeks now. Predictably I got a job before unemployment paid out anything. I can't get any answers I can't get through to anybody on the phone I have no idea what's going on with this system I'm currently owed over $3,000 by PA unemployment and I doubt I'm going to see a penny of it what is the point of paying into the system?.

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jy45123 t1_j0z8k9e wrote

keep at it. I'm struggling with the system too after being laid off last month. since unemployment never picks up the phone themselves (I always get a busy signal) you could try calling your local CareerLink office if you need assistance.

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GinalTap t1_j0z8kzi wrote

I just got let go last Friday after lunch. I filed that night and there’s a claim issue about last day worked (I know, should have filed Saturday I guess or week after?). Sigh. Getting laid off is stressful enough. They make nothing clear with this system. This is the first time I’ve been unemployed in 15 years and I have no idea what I’m doing. Happy freaking holiday.

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LowNo5584 t1_j0z951u wrote

  1. Quit blaming the General Assembly. They've increased the budget for that department. It's up to the department to implement it.
  2. That department falls under the Executive Branch control. My opinion is the Executive Branch is holding off so the UE number stays low and they can dislocate their shoulder patting themselves on the back saying how well they did keeping the number of unemployed down. 3)It's all a shit show and we are being fucked for it.
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OozeAndOz t1_j0ze8so wrote

If you're trying to get them on the phone I suggest using an auto dialer app. That was the only way my SO was able to get through.

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Quicklyquigly t1_j102g0c wrote

Makes you not want to apply, yeah that’s the point. The more people that give up, the less workers they have to give what is owed to THEM.

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Manowaffle t1_j10n16o wrote

This is a common problem everywhere in America:

"So we all agree that this program is important? And people really need these benefits? And it's pretty easy to identify the people who qualify for this program?"

"Yup."

"So can we give them the benefits?"

"Well, they missed the application deadline this cycle, they put their middle name on the wrong line here, and they couldn't make the trip 90 minutes each way to our office during office hours on a weekday. So I'm going to say 'no'."

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phins420 t1_j10qhvi wrote

Your local career link office may have a phone line that cuts directly through the busy signal, yesterday I redialed about 600 times and finally got through to them.

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Equivalent_Alps_8321 t1_j10ug76 wrote

didn't they just relaunch the website this year or last year?

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s-two-k t1_j12eyik wrote

The system was reworked and here to stay. No way around it. Many people don't understand how Govt works, budgets, and how systems, paper, phone lines, etc are ordered by another agency. Even staffing. The volume and unique situations that need to be reviewed by a human must be nuts. And the fraud issues have impacted all States, not just PA.

Being in Construction, this is the busiest time of the year for UC as many, many tradespeople are filing. And if you think PA is bad, NJ/NY is 10x worse.

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Chefunicorn t1_j13k79m wrote

There have been issues for years. If you really want a fun time go to the Facebook page for pa ebt. The issues on there makes you want to never apply for ebt.

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DriveOff t1_j0yj2cj wrote

I agree with those saying contact your state rep.

After running around on the website and calling dozens of times to not even get put on hold, I got fed up and called my rep. I talked to the woman from the office for about 10 minutes to explain the problem in simple terms, and she told me they'd take care of it and not to contact unemployment again because neither unemployment nor the state rep's office should need any further information.

I got an e-mail from the rep the next day stating they had contacted unemployment and my claim would be addressed immediately. About a week later my state rep's office called to verify that I had been paid (I had) and that was that.

A few minutes on the phone with an actual person who picks up immediately is a lot easier than dealing with trying to get ahold of unemployment.

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queenoftheidiots t1_j0zk32g wrote

Call you state senators office. They can contact unemployment and get someone to look into things. That is the best way to do it! Or a state rep, either has the ability and that’s what their constituent services are for, to help people with state problems!

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MrTomSea t1_j0zy44c wrote

The only way is to contact your representative. Truly. I was laid off for three 3 weeks before I got a job. I didn't get unemployment for about 8 weeks and it wasnt until I contacted my representative.

My dad recently needed unemployment and did exactly the same thing as was paid in one week. Don't delay

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0x5otp wrote

I had to find a new job due to the frustration and the state not upping the max unemployment you can receive for the past 15 years

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xab2y wrote

Isn’t that exactly what you’re supposed to do, is find a new job?

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xalet wrote

Well for seasonal workers not generally the case

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xav3a wrote

What? If you’re a seasonal worker, why are you collecting unemployment anyway? I’m assuming by “seasonal” you mean a UPS driver, or someone stocking shelves for Christmas shopping. 

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xbhgj wrote

No you condescending prick. I did work on an asphalt paving crew from May until Thanksgiving. Can't pave in the winter hence the "seasonal" tag

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xbp87 wrote

Oh. I didn’t even think of that type of seasonal work. Is it normal for people in your position to collect unemployment? I would think that if you got a second job, it would pay a lot more than unemployment though, right?

It may sound like I’m judging, but I’m really not. Just curious.

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xc89p wrote

Generally someone who does this line of work around here welcomes a layoff come winter due to the extreme conditions of the job. Years past I could make it work because I would only be laid off a couple months. With the hyper inflation we are seeing right now I would be highly underwater come spring if I didn't pick up another job.

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Er3bus13 t1_j0xqipx wrote

Also the time off gives your body time to heal. Physical labor destroys your body.

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0y9ob7 wrote

Why does it need rest? Every asshole in here seems to believe I should just power through lol

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xctuf wrote

I guess if it wasn’t for inflation, it’s not a bad gig then, right? You work hard for six or eight months of the year or whatever, and then you get a nice prolonged break over the winter. If you do gig work for like Uber or Instacart, or something, does that mean you can’t collect unemployment too?

Sorry to hear that times have been tougher this year. 

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xdl5e wrote

You can make a certain amount and still collect but you can't make much if that's the route you are going. Working on paving crews is shit work all around. You are a seasonal employee and management takes full advantage of that. Plus it's usually feast or famine on the hrs in the summer depending on weather, etc. Although making decent money, it is not consistent or predictable enough to really put enough back being a single parent especially

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xdtw1 wrote

I hadn’t considered how weather can impact your hours on a week to week basis. That would suck.

Is it the type of job you can make a long-term career out of? Or is it more of a stop along the way to another career? 

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xea11 wrote

You can if you kiss enough ass to climb the ladder. It would be easier for someone that has a spouse that works as well.

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Alternative-Lock t1_j0xcvsr wrote

Almost all heavy civil construction workers obtain UC benefits yearly.

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lehigh_larry t1_j0xdate wrote

So I’ve learned. Not a bad gig if you think about it. Work hard, play hard right?

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Alternative-Lock t1_j0xelee wrote

I’m sure most of them don’t look forward to layoff season. Just part of the gig I guess.

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Woodyee101 t1_j0xc9st wrote

Going out and finding a new job is exactly what is supposed to happen. This means you’re employable which means you shouldn’t be on your ass collecting tax payer money

EDIT: Congrats on finding a job and not sitting on your ass

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siberiandivide81 t1_j0xch39 wrote

I think you have welfare and unemployment mixed up. Fuck you and your condescending tone

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stonehawk61 t1_j0yzlwl wrote

Unemployment compensation for many is not a "good time", but more of a stop gap measure and as such is considered a necessary portion of yearly income. I work in a trade where the jobs are somewhat seasonal, of short duration and at times comprise of emergent contingencies where a ready pool of skilled workers are required to maintain and service critical infrastructure. Lay-offs are frequent and at times lengthy, but are also an accepted condition of employment given the pay and benefit package. Perhaps you shouldn't be sitting on your brain, exposing you biased notions, spewing your ignorance, while adding no value to the topic, and judging others from your ivory white tower.

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ladyj1182 t1_j0xwjpx wrote

Your probably could of had a new job by now. Seeing as how every is hiring.

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