I'm in almost the exact same situation - exhausted my benefits about 10 days ago after being laid off from my job at a logistics company back in January. It's incredibly frustrating to be stuck in this limbo where you can't file a new claim but still have to keep searching for work with zero income. Reading through everyone's responses has been really eye-opening though. I had no idea I should keep filing my weekly claims even with a $0 balance - I stopped filing last week thinking it was pointless! Definitely going to start that back up immediately to maintain my claim status. I'm also going to look into SNAP benefits and see what other assistance programs might be available through that 211 service someone mentioned. The seasonal work suggestions make a lot of sense too, especially with the holidays coming up. Even temporary income would help so much while waiting out this benefit year. The mental health aspect is definitely the hardest part. Some days it feels hopeless when you're sending out applications and barely hearing anything back. But seeing how many others are dealing with this same broken system actually makes me feel less alone in the struggle. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and advice - it's given me some concrete steps to take instead of just feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

I'm in a very similar situation - just exhausted my benefits last week after being laid off from my warehouse job in February. The whole waiting period until your benefit year expires feels so unfair, especially when you're still actively searching but the job market is so competitive. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though. I had no idea about keeping up the weekly claims even with a $0 balance - that seems crucial for maintaining your claim status. I'm also going to look into those CareerLink resources and seasonal work opportunities that people mentioned. The mental health struggle is real. What's been helping me is setting up a morning routine where I spend 2-3 hours on job applications, then try to do something productive or get outside in the afternoon. It keeps me from spiraling into anxiety about the financial situation. One thing I wanted to add that I haven't seen mentioned yet - some community colleges offer free career counseling services even if you're not enrolled. I went to one last week and they helped me revamp my resume and gave me some interview tips. They also had a list of employers in the area that were actively hiring, which was more current than what I was finding on job boards. Hang in there everyone - it's encouraging to see so many people supporting each other through this frustrating situation. The system definitely needs work, but at least we're not dealing with it alone!

Just wanted to jump in here as someone who works in HR and deals with unemployment questions pretty regularly. Everyone's absolutely right that your untouched 401k won't affect your PA UC benefits - I've helped several employees through this same concern when they've been laid off. The key distinction is between "assets" (like your 401k balance) and "income" (money you actually receive). PA unemployment only cares about reportable income during your claim weeks, not the value of retirement accounts or other investments you're not touching. Since you mentioned being confused by the tax forms - when you see your 401k info on your W-2, that's showing pre-tax contributions that were already deducted from your wages during the base period they used to calculate your UC benefit rate. It's not additional income to worry about now. You're smart to leave it alone until April and then roll it over. Cashing out would create taxable income AND trigger early withdrawal penalties if you're under 59½. Plus any withdrawal while on UC would need to be reported and could reduce your weekly benefits. Hope this helps ease your stress - unemployment is tough enough without worrying about things that aren't actually problems!

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.

I went through almost the exact same thing about a year ago - got fired from my warehouse job for attendance points (had 9, company limit was 7) but most of my absences were for legitimate reasons like car trouble, family emergencies, and illness. I was terrified to apply for UC because I thought being fired for policy violation meant automatic denial, but I ended up getting approved! The key is that PA UC looks at whether you had "good cause" for your absences, not just whether you technically broke company policy. What really helped my case was having documentation for everything - repair receipts, doctor's notes, text screenshots showing I properly notified my supervisor each time. Even though I had received warnings, the UC examiner said that didn't matter since my absences were due to circumstances beyond my control. Your situation sounds very strong with documented reasons and proper call-off procedures. Definitely apply ASAP and include all your documentation with the initial claim. If you get denied initially (which happens to lots of people), don't panic - appeal it immediately. The system can be frustrating but it does work when you have legitimate reasons like yours. You've 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.

As someone who just went through this exact situation a few months ago, I want to reassure you that the 80% rule is real and enforceable when properly documented. I declined two offers that were 72% and 76% of my previous salary during my first 8 weeks of unemployment, and UC accepted both decisions without any issues. The key is being proactive about documentation from day one. I kept a detailed log that included not just the salary percentage, but also commute costs, benefits comparison, and any significant differences in job responsibilities. When UC did follow up on one declined offer (about 4 weeks after I reported it), I was able to provide comprehensive documentation that clearly showed why the position wasn't suitable. One thing I learned is that UC appreciates when you show you're being strategic rather than just dismissive. For example, I always attempted to negotiate first before declining - even when I knew the salary was too low. This demonstrated good faith effort to make unsuitable work suitable, which UC views favorably. Also, don't let the stories about people having benefits cut discourage you too much. Those situations usually involve people who either didn't document properly, declined offers above the threshold, or weren't honest on their certifications. If you follow the guidelines and keep thorough records, you should be fine. The job market is tough right now, but having UC benefits gives you the breathing room to find something truly suitable rather than jumping at the first lowball offer. Use that time strategically and document everything!

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!

Been through this exact scenario multiple times with my seasonal HVAC work! You're absolutely right to wait until Monday to reopen. I learned the hard way that reopening while you still have work hours that week can trigger system flags. Here's what works for me: finish your last day Thursday, reopen Monday morning, then file your first weekly certification that Sunday for the week of March 17-23. Make sure you have your final pay stub details ready when reopening - they'll want your last work date and final gross earnings. Also pro tip: take a screenshot of your dashboard right after reopening to confirm there are no open issues before you file your first weekly cert. The seasonal reopening process is usually pretty smooth once you get the timing right!

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!