Can I collect PA UC benefits during 3-week gap before first paycheck at new job?

congrats on the new job! pretty sure you gotta report the hrs u worked each week even if u havent been paid yet. its about when u EARN the money not when it hits ur bank acct. might still get partial benefits if ur not working full time right away

You need to report your work hours for the week you actually perform the work, not when you get paid. This is a common misunderstanding with PA UC. When you file your weekly certification, you'll need to report: - The days you worked that week - The gross amount you EARNED (before taxes) that week - That you have obtained full-time work Depending on how many hours you work and your weekly benefit rate, you might qualify for partial benefits if your earnings are low enough during the transition weeks. However, once you're working full-time hours (typically 32-40 hours/week), you'll likely be considered employed full-time and ineligible regardless of when you receive your first paycheck. Make sure to accurately report everything to avoid an overpayment issue later.

welcome to the wonderful world of pa unemployment lol. they dont care if you have bills due. i had the same problem last year when i got my warehouse job. had to borrow money from family to survive til first payday. system is messed up!!!

Have you tried getting through to a UC representative to ask about your specific situation? Sometimes there are exceptions or programs they don't advertise well. I was in a similar situation last year and needed clarification. After getting tired of busy signals for days, I used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a PA UC agent within about 30 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 showing how it works. The agent I spoke with explained exactly how to report my transition period and what to expect. It was worth the effort to get a definitive answer directly from UC rather than trying to figure it out myself. Every situation is different!

PA UC regulations specifically address this situation. According to Section 401 of the PA UC Law, eligibility is determined based on when you perform work, not when you receive payment. Here's what you need to know: 1) You must report all hours worked during the week you actually work them 2) Report the gross earnings for those hours even if payment will come later 3) Once you start full-time work (30+ hours in most cases), you become ineligible for benefits 4) The "waiting period" before your first paycheck is unfortunately not covered by UC However, you should still file your weekly claims accurately during this transition period. Report your new job, hours worked, and anticipated gross earnings. The system will determine if you qualify for partial benefits based on your specific benefit rate. Also, if you need emergency assistance during this gap, you might qualify for other support programs. Contact your local PA CareerLink office for information.

I went thru this in January when I got my job at the hospital. Had to put my rent on a credit card and ate ramen for 3 weeks. The system doesn't care about the gap between starting work and getting paid. BUT STILL REPORT EVERYTHING HONESTLY!!! I know someone who didn't and got hit with a $2800 overpayment plus penalties. NOT WORTH IT.

One additional thing to consider - when you file your weekly certification, you'll need to answer "yes" to the question about whether you have obtained work. On the next screen, you'll need to provide: - Employer name and address - First day worked - Type of work (full-time or part-time) - Hourly rate or salary This will trigger a change in your claim status. Even though it's frustrating to lose benefits before receiving a paycheck, it's important to understand that UC is designed to provide income during periods of unemployment, not to bridge payment gaps when returning to work. As for your immediate financial situation, you might want to check if your new employer offers any advance payment options or if there are emergency assistance programs in your county. Some community organizations offer short-term loans or grants specifically for people transitioning back to work.