Can I claim PA UC with reduced hours? Going from full-time to 20hrs/week
I just got some frustrating news - was supposed to return to full-time work this Monday after being on unemployment, but my employer called saying they can only bring me back part-time (around 20 hours a week). I'm really confused about how this affects my UC benefits! Do I still file my weekly claims? I think I'm supposed to report these part-time earnings and then they'd subtract anything over my allowed amount from my weekly benefit, right? My benefit rate is $425/week and I'd be making about $380 at this part-time schedule. Really need to understand this correctly so I don't mess anything up!
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Connor Murphy
Yes, you're on the right track. When you go from full unemployment to partial employment in PA, you should continue to file your weekly claims and report ALL earnings for the week (before taxes). PA UC uses a formula where they deduct 40% of your weekly earnings from your benefit amount. So if you earn $380 in a week and your weekly benefit is $425, they would deduct $152 (40% of $380), meaning you'd still receive $273 in UC benefits that week. This is called partial unemployment. Just make sure you're reporting the gross earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you get paid.
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QuantumQuest
•Thank you so much! That makes sense. Is there any special way I need to report this on my weekly certification? Like do I need to tell them my hours were reduced, or do I just put in my earnings and they figure it out?
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Yara Haddad
I went thru THE EXACT SAME THING last month!!!! My company promised full time then only gave me 15 hours a week. Such BS!! But yeah keep filing your weekly claims and make sure u report exactly what u earn each week. The system will calculate what ur eligible for. Don't worry about explaining the reduction - just answer all the questions honestly on the weekly filing. The earnings question is what matters.
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Keisha Robinson
•sorry that happened to u too! seems like companies r doing this alot lately :
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Paolo Conti
Be super careful about reporting your earnings correctly! I messed this up last year and ended up with an overpayment notice for like $2,700. Make sure you report your gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you WORKED, not when you got paid. And yes, you definitely keep filing as long as your hours are reduced below your full-time schedule.
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QuantumQuest
•Wow, that's scary! I definitely don't want an overpayment. So I should report based on when I worked the hours, not when the paycheck comes? That's helpful because my paychecks are always a week behind.
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Amina Sow
If ur struggling to get clear answers about your partial benefits, I recommend using Claimyr to get through to an actual UC agent. I spent 3 weeks trying to figure out my partial benefits situation when my hours got cut, and nobody could give me straight answers until I finally got through to a rep. I used claimyr.com and they connected me to a UC agent in about 20 minutes instead of me calling hundreds of times. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 - seriously saved me so much frustration!
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GalaxyGazer
•did this actually work for you? ive been trying to call them for 2 weeks about my reduced hours
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Amina Sow
•Yes, it did! I was skeptical at first but after trying to get through for weeks it was worth it. The UC rep explained exactly how my partial benefits would work with my specific situation.
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Oliver Wagner
Does ur employer kno ur still gunna claim UC? some bosses get weird about it. mine did. just sayin
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QuantumQuest
•That's a good point I hadn't thought about. They know my hours are reduced pretty significantly from what was promised, but we didn't specifically discuss unemployment. I don't think they'd have an issue since they're the ones who can't provide full-time hours right now.
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Connor Murphy
•Your employer doesn't have any say in whether you can claim partial UC benefits - that's your right if your hours are reduced. They will be notified that you're filing, but as long as you're reporting your earnings accurately, there shouldn't be any issues.
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Keisha Robinson
I've been on partial unemployment for like 4 months now and it's been a lifesaver! Just make sure when you do your weekly certification you answer YES to the question about whether you worked during the week, then enter your gross earnings. The system calculates everything automatically. And don't forget you still have to do your work search activities (applying to jobs) even with the part-time work!
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QuantumQuest
•Oh! I totally forgot about the work search requirements. So even though I'm working part-time, I still need to apply to other jobs each week? How many? And does my current part-time job count as one of my work search activities?
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Connor Murphy
•Yes, in PA you need to complete at least two work search activities each week even on partial UC. Your current part-time job doesn't count toward those activities. Applying for jobs, attending job fairs, creating profiles on job search sites, or taking job skills workshops all count. Keep a detailed log of these activities - PA can audit you and request this information up to two years later.
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Yara Haddad
Has anyone had problems with their employer reporting different earnings than what you reported? I'm paranoid about this happening with my partial UC and then getting hit with an overpayment later.
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Paolo Conti
•This is why I said be super careful about reporting! PA UC matches what you report against what your employer reports each quarter. If there's a discrepancy, they'll investigate and potentially issue an overpayment notice. Always keep pay stubs and work schedules as proof of what you worked and earned each week.
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QuantumQuest
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! Just to summarize what I understand now: 1) Keep filing weekly claims, 2) Report my gross earnings for when I WORKED, not when paid, 3) They'll deduct 40% of my earnings from my benefit, 4) I still need to do two work search activities each week, and 5) My part-time job doesn't count as a work search activity. This is much clearer now!
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