I'm also brand new to PA unemployment and just discovered this amazing thread! Filed my claim about a week ago and was absolutely terrified about the work search requirements after registering with CareerLink. Like so many others here, I found that most of the job listings were completely unrelated to my background (I work in event planning) - lots of warehouse and retail positions that pay way less than what I need to survive. I was seriously considering applying to jobs I had no business doing just to check the weekly requirement box, which felt so demoralizing when I'm already stressed about being unemployed. This entire discussion has been such a huge relief! I had no idea that my applications through Eventbrite job board, LinkedIn, and directly contacting venues and event companies would count toward my work search requirements. I've been focusing on those platforms all week since that's where the actual event industry jobs are posted, but I was worried none of it would be accepted by PA UC. I'm starting my documentation spreadsheet right now with all the details everyone mentioned - dates, company names, positions, application methods, screenshots, etc. It's honestly incredible how much more helpful this community has been compared to trying to navigate the confusing official PA UC website. Thank you all for sharing your real experiences and making this whole process so much less scary for newcomers like me!

I'm also completely new to PA unemployment and just filed my claim yesterday - this thread has been absolutely amazing! Like so many others here, I was having a total meltdown about the work search requirements after registering with CareerLink. The job listings there are absolutely terrible for my field (I'm in data analysis) - mostly warehouse, retail, and food service jobs that pay a fraction of what I need to cover my bills. I was genuinely panicking that I'd have to start applying to completely irrelevant positions just to meet the weekly requirements, which felt so defeating on top of already dealing with unemployment stress. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such an enormous relief! I had no idea that applications through Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and company career pages would count toward the work search requirements. I've actually been using those platforms exclusively this week since that's where all the actual data analyst positions are posted, but I was terrified none of it would be accepted by PA UC. I'm setting up my documentation spreadsheet tonight with all the details everyone mentioned - dates, company names, positions, application methods, confirmation screenshots, etc. It's honestly shocking how much clearer this one community thread is compared to hours of trying to understand the confusing official PA UC website. They really need to spell out that ANY legitimate job search activity counts! Thank you all so much for sharing your real-world experiences and making this whole intimidating process way more manageable for newcomers like me.

This thread is super helpful! I'm in a similar boat - just filed for UC after being laid off from my logistics job where I was working 60+ hours a week for the past year. I was also worried about whether all that overtime would cause problems with my benefit calculation. Reading everyone's explanations really cleared things up. It makes sense that PA would include ALL earnings since they're all wages that had unemployment tax withheld. I guess I was just nervous because the financial determination letter doesn't really break down HOW they calculate everything - it just gives you the final number. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! It's reassuring to know that working all those extra hours actually helps rather than hurts when it comes to unemployment benefits. Now I can focus on job searching instead of worrying about potential overpayment issues.

I'm actually dealing with this exact same concern right now! Just got laid off from my manufacturing job where I was pulling 55-60 hour weeks consistently for the last 10 months. When I saw my determination letter showing a high weekly benefit amount, my first thought was "this has to be wrong" and I started panicking about potential overpayments. But reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's clear that PA absolutely does include ALL your earnings - regular hours AND overtime - when calculating your weekly benefit amount. Since overtime wages have the same unemployment tax withheld as regular wages, they count the same way toward your benefit calculation. I think the confusion comes from the fact that the determination letters don't really explain HOW they calculate everything - they just give you the final numbers. But it sounds like once that monetary determination is issued, that's your locked-in benefit amount based on the official wage records they have on file. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here! It's such a relief to know that all those long hours and extra shifts actually work in our favor when it comes to UC benefits. Now I can stop worrying about overpayments and focus on finding a new job.

Wow, this thread is exactly what I needed to see! I'm coming up on my benefit year end next month and was already stressing about the timing. Reading everyone's experiences here makes it crystal clear - file the new claim immediately, don't wait around overthinking it like I was planning to do. It's honestly ridiculous how confusing PA UC makes this process when it's something that happens to everyone annually. I'm definitely going to bookmark this thread and come back to it when my time comes. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, both the success stories and the cautionary tales about waiting too long. This community is so much more helpful than the official PA UC guidance!

Reading through this whole thread as someone who just went through their first benefit year transition - wow, what a learning experience! I made the same mistake of overthinking the timing and almost waited until Sunday to file. Thankfully I stumbled across some advice similar to what everyone's sharing here and filed my new claim the day after my benefit year ended. The whole process was actually much smoother than I expected once I stopped second-guessing myself. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned - make sure you have all your employer information handy when you file the new claim, especially if you had multiple jobs during your base period. The system asks for a lot of the same info as your original claim, but having it organized ahead of time makes the process much faster. Great thread everyone - this kind of real-world advice is exactly what people need when navigating PA UC!

I've been through a similar situation in PA and want to add something important - make sure you organize your evidence clearly before the hearing. Label the write-up as "Exhibit A" or something similar so you can reference it easily during testimony. Also, if you have any witnesses who can testify about what actually happened (coworkers who heard the conversation), consider having them available by phone during the hearing. The referee will appreciate your preparation and organization. When employers contradict their own written records, it seriously damages their credibility. You've got this!

I went through a PA UC hearing last year where my former employer tried to embellish the reasons for my termination beyond what was in their original documentation. The key thing that helped me win was being extremely organized and prepared. I created a timeline of events, labeled all my evidence clearly, and practiced explaining the discrepancies calmly and factually. When the employer started adding details that weren't in the write-up, I simply said "I'd like to reference Exhibit A, the disciplinary notice from [date], which only documents [specific language from write-up]." The referee immediately picked up on the inconsistency. Also, don't forget that you can ask questions during the hearing too - if they claim you said things not mentioned in the write-up, you can ask them why those alleged statements weren't documented at the time if they were serious enough to warrant termination. Stay confident - the fact that you have contemporaneous documentation on your side is huge!

UPDATE: I got through on the phone after trying like 8 times! The actual ATM limit is $500 but you can go to a bank teller with your ID and card and withdraw up to $1000 in cash. Also my login problem was because I was trying to create my account too soon after activation. For anyone else with this problem, they said wait 48 hours after activating the card before trying to set up online access. Thanks everyone for your help!

Just want to add that if you're having trouble with the Money Network website, you can also download their mobile app which sometimes works better than the browser version. I had login issues for days on the website but the app worked immediately. Also, most Sheetz locations let you do cash back with no fees up to $100 per transaction if you buy something small like a drink. Not ideal for large amounts but helpful in a pinch when ATMs are charging $3-5 fees.