Just wanted to add my experience here too! I was laid off from my HVAC job back in September and had the exact same worry about my 401k affecting my PA UC benefits. Spent way too many sleepless nights stressing about it before I finally got clarity. Your untouched 401k is absolutely fine - it won't impact your weekly benefits at all. I actually ended up calling PA UC directly (took forever to get through) and they confirmed that only actual withdrawals count as reportable income, not the account balance just sitting there. The W-2 thing confused me too at first. Those 401k contributions listed are from when you were actively working and contributing - they're not new income now. Think of it like this: that money was already "counted" when they calculated your base period wages to determine your benefit amount. Since you're in construction, you know how unpredictable the work can be. At least you can cross this 401k worry off your list and focus on finding your next job. When April comes around, definitely go with the rollover option - keeps everything simple for both taxes and UC purposes. Hang in there! The trades are starting to pick up again with spring coming.

Hey Liam! Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my plumbing job. Your 401k sitting untouched absolutely will NOT affect your PA UC benefits - I was freaking out about the same thing until I got it sorted out. The reason it shows up on your W-2 is just to document what you contributed while you were working, but that money was already factored into your base period wages when they calculated your weekly benefit amount. It's not "new" income that would mess with your current claims. I made the mistake of overthinking it too, but PA UC has a simple rule - you only report money you actually receive during your claim weeks. Since your 401k is just sitting there (hopefully growing!), there's nothing to report on your biweekly filings. Smart move planning to roll it over in April instead of cashing out. I almost made that mistake but the early withdrawal penalties would have been brutal, plus any withdrawal would count as income for UC purposes. Construction work is tough with all the seasonal ups and downs, but at least you can cross this worry off your list. Focus on finding that next job - spring is usually when things start picking back up! You got this!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Got terminated from my logistics job last week for exceeding attendance points (had 8, limit was 6). Like many others here, I had legitimate reasons - car broke down twice requiring major repairs, had to take care of my sick mother, and a few documented sick days. Reading all these success stories from people who got approved despite being fired for attendance has given me the confidence to actually apply. I was convinced that being terminated for policy violation meant automatic denial, but it's clear PA UC really does evaluate "good cause" rather than just the rule violation. I'm gathering all my documentation today - repair invoices, medical records, texts showing I followed proper call-off procedures. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's amazing how supportive this community is for people dealing with these stressful situations! Going to file my claim this week.

I'm in almost the exact same situation! Just got terminated yesterday from my warehouse job for hitting 8 attendance points when their limit was 6. Most of my absences were legitimate - had to take my kid to the ER twice, car broke down, and got food poisoning but couldn't get to urgent care until the next day so my note was "late" too. Reading through all these success stories has me feeling way more hopeful about applying for UC. I was convinced that being fired for attendance meant I wouldn't qualify, but it sounds like PA really does look at whether you had good reasons rather than just the policy violation. Going to gather all my documentation (ER paperwork, repair receipts, doctor's note even though it was late) and file my claim this week. Thanks for posting this question - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in dealing with these situations and that there's actually hope for approval!

As someone who recently navigated this exact situation with PA UC, I wanted to share some additional insights that might help. I was laid off about 4 months ago and faced multiple offers below my previous salary range. The 80% rule is definitely real, but what I found most important was being completely transparent in my documentation. I created a simple formula: (Offered Salary ÷ Previous Salary) × 100 = percentage. For any offer below 80%, I documented not just the math, but the practical impact - would I be able to afford my current housing? Transportation costs? Childcare if applicable? One tip that really helped me: when declining offers, I always sent a polite email to the employer explaining that while I was interested in the role, the salary wasn't feasible given my financial obligations. This created a paper trail that supported my UC reporting and showed I was being professional about the process. Also, remember that during these first 13 weeks, you have more leverage than you might think. Employers understand that recently unemployed workers need time to find appropriate positions. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself - just make sure you're documenting every step of the way. The market is challenging right now, but having proper UC documentation gives you the confidence to make strategic decisions rather than panic decisions. Hang in there!

As someone who's new to both this community and the PA UC system, I'm incredibly grateful for all the detailed advice and real experiences shared here! I was laid off just over a week ago and have been anxious about exactly these salary threshold issues while job searching. The 80% rule during the first 13 weeks is really helpful to know about, and all the documentation strategies you've shared - especially the spreadsheet tracking system from @NeonNinja and the budget breakdown approach from @Amy Fleming - are exactly what I need to implement right away. One thing I'm wondering about that I haven't seen addressed yet: how do you handle situations where recruiters or employers ask about your "salary expectations" early in the process? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to price myself out of opportunities that might actually meet the 80% threshold. Should I be upfront about my previous salary, or is it better to ask about their budget first? Also, has anyone had experience with how UC views temporary or contract positions during this period? I'm seeing quite a few contract roles that might pay well hourly but obviously don't come with benefits or long-term security. Thanks again to everyone for sharing such practical, real-world guidance. This thread has been incredibly reassuring and educational!

I just went through this same situation with my seasonal roofing job last month! You're definitely on the right track waiting until Monday to reopen. I made the mistake my first year of reopening on my last day of work (Friday) and it created issues because I had already worked 32 hours that week. The system flagged it and I had to wait for a phone interview to clear it up. Now I always wait until the Monday after my final work day to reopen, then file the following Sunday. It's so much cleaner that way and avoids any confusion about which week you're claiming benefits for. Also, since you have an existing claim from last year, the reopening process should be pretty quick - just make sure your direct deposit info is still current before you start filing!

I've been doing seasonal construction work for about 5 years now and have reopened my PA UC claim multiple times. You're absolutely doing this right by waiting until Monday! I always tell people the golden rule is: your last day of work should be completely finished before you even think about reopening. The system gets really confused if you reopen while you still have hours that week - I've seen so many people get stuck with open issues because of this timing mistake. When you reopen Monday morning, the process should be pretty straightforward since it's an existing claim. Just have your final pay stub info ready and double-check that your payment method is still valid. Your first weekly certification will be Sunday for the week ending March 23rd. The seasonal cycle gets so much easier once you get the timing down pat!

I'm sorry to hear about your layoff, Zoe. I went through something similar last fall and know how overwhelming it can feel when you're facing bills with uncertain income. Everyone here has given you excellent advice, but I wanted to add one more thing that really helped me: if you have a credit union or community bank, give them a call to explain your situation. Many of them have hardship programs or can offer short-term payment deferrals on loans while you're waiting for UC to kick in. My credit union let me skip my car payment for two months without penalty when I explained I was laid off and waiting on unemployment. It's definitely worth asking about, especially with your mortgage coming due. Also, don't forget to apply for SNAP benefits if you qualify - the process is much faster than UC and can help with grocery costs while you're waiting. You can apply online through the COMPASS website. Hang in there - this community is great for support and you're clearly being proactive about everything!

Just wanted to jump in and say how helpful this entire thread has been! I'm not currently unemployed but saved this post for future reference because the advice here is so thorough and practical. Zoe, it sounds like you've gotten amazing guidance from this community. One small thing I'll add that helped a friend recently - if you have any professional licenses or certifications (like forklift, safety training, etc.), make sure to mention those when you're doing your job search activities. Some employers specifically search for those keywords, and it can help your applications stand out in a crowded field. Also, LinkedIn has a feature where you can add an "Open to Work" banner to your profile that's only visible to recruiters - might be worth setting up if you haven't already. Wishing you the best with your claim and job search!