I'm going through something very similar right now - my benefits just expired last week after the full 26 weeks and I'm scrambling to figure out next steps. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about continuing to file biweekly claims even with a zero balance, or about some of the local resources mentioned. @Sebastian Scott - your insider perspective is amazing. I'm definitely going to ask about those workforce development programs since my job loss was also due to company restructuring. For anyone else in this situation, I found that some local food banks also have emergency assistance funds for utilities and rent - might be worth calling around to see what's available in your area. The United Way website has a good directory of local resources too. Malik, I hope some of these suggestions work out for you. This whole situation is so stressful but it sounds like you have some solid leads to follow up on now. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - check if your local library has free career counseling services. Many PA libraries partner with CareerLink to offer resume review, interview prep, and job search assistance. The Carnegie Library system in Pittsburgh has some great programs, and they also provide free computer and internet access if you need it for job applications. Also, for medical coding specifically, consider reaching out to local hospitals directly even if they don't have posted openings. Many facilities use contract coders during busy periods or when regular staff are out, and they might keep your resume on file for future opportunities. UPMC and Allegheny Health Network both use a lot of contract coding work. One more thing - if you're struggling with rent, contact your landlord directly and explain the situation. Many are willing to work out payment plans, especially if you can show you're actively job searching and have applied for assistance. It's better to be proactive than wait until you're already behind.

I'm in a very similar situation - my PA UC benefits expire in just over a week and I'm absolutely panicking. I've been unemployed since November 2024 after my healthcare administration position was eliminated during a "cost-saving restructuring." The anxiety of watching those weeks tick down is overwhelming. Reading through all these responses has been both devastating and helpful. It's heartbreaking that so many of us are going through this, but it's also reassuring to know I'm not alone or somehow failing. I've applied to over 70 positions with maybe 3 interviews, and I was starting to think something was wrong with me. I'm definitely going to try several of the suggestions here - calling my county assistance office directly instead of just applying online, reaching out to those medical temp agencies (Maxim Healthcare, Interim Healthcare), and looking into insurance companies for prior authorization work. The tip about contacting smaller specialty practices directly is brilliant too. One thing I wanted to add that's helped me recently is checking with local churches and community organizations, even if you're not religious. I found out my local Catholic church has an emergency assistance fund that helped with groceries, which freed up money for rent. They didn't ask about my faith or anything - they just wanted to help people in crisis. The stress is really taking a toll on my mental health, but posts like this remind me that this is a systemic problem, not a personal failure. Thank you to everyone sharing resources and encouragement. We'll get through this somehow.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stress - the countdown to benefit exhaustion is genuinely terrifying and you're definitely not alone in this struggle. Unfortunately, as others have mentioned, there are no federal extension programs available right now like there were during COVID. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet is checking with your local United Way chapter. They often have emergency assistance programs and can connect you to resources you might not find elsewhere. Also, if you're a veteran or have a veteran in your household, the VFW and American Legion sometimes have emergency financial assistance programs. For healthcare admin specifically, I'd suggest looking into revenue cycle management companies like Conifer Health Solutions, R1 RCM, or Optum. They're often hiring for remote positions and your hospital admin background would be a great fit. Medical coding companies like 3M Health Information Systems also frequently need people with healthcare administration experience. Another angle to consider: many law firms that handle personal injury or medical malpractice cases need people who understand medical records and healthcare systems. The pay can be decent and your background would make you stand out. The job market is absolutely brutal right now, especially in healthcare admin with all the consolidations happening. This is not a reflection of your skills or worth - the system is just broken. Keep pushing forward and utilizing every resource people have shared here.

I just went through this exact situation last week! Filed on Monday instead of my usual Sunday and was absolutely panicking when my payment didn't show up on Tuesday like normal. Turns out it's completely normal - PA UC processes claims in batches based on filing day, so Monday filings just get pushed to the next processing cycle. My payment came through on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, so you should definitely see yours by tomorrow or Thursday at the latest. Nothing is wrong with your claim at all! I've now set up a recurring phone reminder for Sunday mornings because I never want to experience that stress again. The one-day delay is just how their system works - you're still well within the filing window and your benefits aren't affected at all.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed Monday instead of Sunday and have been checking my Money Network card obsessively all day. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief - I had no idea that filing a day late just delays the processing batch, I thought I might have messed up my entire claim somehow. It's crazy how the PA UC system doesn't really explain these timing details when you're starting out. I'm definitely going to set up multiple Sunday reminders on my phone after this stress. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and confirming this is totally normal! Now I can stop panicking and just wait for tomorrow's deposit.

Oliver, I just wanted to add one more important thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet - when you do apply and start receiving benefits, keep ALL your documentation organized in one place. I mean everything: your layoff notice, pension statements, work search logs, correspondence with UC, etc. I learned this the hard way when PA UC randomly audited my claim about 8 months after I started receiving benefits. They wanted to see proof of my work search activities going back to week 1, my original separation paperwork, and detailed pension information. Having everything organized saved me a ton of stress. Also, just a heads up - the online system can be glitchy sometimes. If you run into technical issues during your application, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I had to submit mine three times because it kept timing out, but persistence pays off! You've got this! The community here has given you solid advice, and it sounds like you have a strong case for benefits even with the pension reduction.

Oliver, I want to echo what everyone else has said - definitely apply! I'm 68 and went through this exact situation about 8 months ago. Got laid off from my job of 15 years and was terrified about the pension impact on my UC benefits. Here's what I learned: The PA UC system will walk you through reporting your pension during the application process. It's actually pretty straightforward once you get to that section. They'll ask for the monthly amount, who contributed to it, and when you started receiving it (or if you're just eligible but not collecting yet). One thing that really helped me was having my pension documentation ready before I started the application - things like your Summary Plan Description and any letters from HR about your pension eligibility. Makes the process much smoother. Also, don't stress too much about the work search requirements at our age. Yes, you need to do them, but the UC office understands that job searches take longer for older workers. Just be genuine in your efforts and keep good records. The bottom line is this: even with the pension deduction, I still get about $280/week in benefits, which has been a huge help while I'm looking for work. Every situation is different, but don't let anyone discourage you from applying based on your age or pension status. You earned these benefits through years of work!

I just wanted to add my experience from going through RESEA about 4 months ago. Like you, I was really anxious when I got that letter - I thought maybe I had messed something up with my weekly certifications or job search requirements. But it turned out to be really beneficial! My counselor helped me update my resume format (apparently I was using an outdated style that wasn't getting past applicant tracking systems) and showed me how to tailor my applications better for each position. One thing that really surprised me was that they have partnerships with local employers who specifically recruit through CareerLink - I got connected to three companies that weren't advertising their openings publicly yet. The "assessment" part was just them making sure I understood the work search requirements and helping me be more strategic about meeting them. They even helped me set up informational interviews with people in my field, which led to some great networking opportunities. Just bring all your documentation organized, be honest about any challenges you're facing, and go in with an open mind. It's really designed to help you succeed, not to trip you up!

I went through RESEA about 2 months ago and wanted to share something that might help ease your anxiety - bring a small notebook and pen with you! My counselor gave me so much valuable information during the session that I wished I had been taking better notes. She told me about specific companies that were hiring, upcoming job fairs, free certification programs through the state, and even gave me names of HR contacts at a few local businesses. I was so focused on not seeming "unprepared" that I didn't think to write things down in the moment. Luckily she printed out some resources for me, but I definitely missed capturing some of the verbal tips she shared. Also, if you're in a specialized field, mention it right away - they often have connections or resources specific to different industries that they can pull up during your session. The whole experience was genuinely helpful and much more collaborative than I expected. You've got this!