Can I collect PA UC benefits while receiving Social Security? Eligibility confusion!

yes u can get both! my dad got laid off last yr and he gets social security AND unemployment. they dont cancel each other out

The previous comment is correct - you can receive both PA UC benefits and Social Security retirement benefits simultaneously. However, there are important things to understand: 1. You must report your Social Security income when filing for unemployment, but it will NOT be deducted from your UC benefits (unlike some other income types). 2. You still need to meet all other eligibility requirements for unemployment: - You must have been laid off through no fault of your own - You must be able and available to work - You must be actively seeking employment (job search activities) - You must have enough qualifying wages in your base year 3. Be prepared that when filing weekly claims, you'll need to report your job search activities (at least 2 per week) and continue being available for suitable work. Many people successfully collect both benefits without issues.

Had the same situation in 2022!!! was collecting SS at 62 (early retirement) then got FIRED after 15 years at the same company!!! applied for UC and got approved no problem. Just dont forget to do your work search every week or they will STOP YOUR BENEFITS!!!

The real question is whether it's worth applying for unemployment after age 65. Social Security retirement benefits are NOT deducted from your UC benefits in PA, but your UC benefits ARE taxable income and could potentially push you into a higher tax bracket when combined with Social Security. You might want to speak with a tax professional before deciding. Also, remember that UC benefits are temporary (typically 26 weeks maximum) while Social Security continues.

I've been helping my mother with this exact situation. When you apply for UC benefits, there will be a section asking about other income. You should report your Social Security there, but it won't reduce your weekly benefit amount. The most frustrating part of this process was actually getting through to someone at UC when she had questions about her application. After days of busy signals and disconnections, we found a service called Claimyr that got us through to an actual UC representative within 45 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The UC rep confirmed that she could receive both benefits and helped clear up an issue with her claim that would have caused delays. Well worth it when you need to speak to someone directly.

Thank you all for the helpful information! I feel much better knowing that I can receive both benefits. I'm going to start gathering my employment information to prepare for filing when my job ends. I'll make sure to report my Social Security income properly and keep detailed records of my job search activities. Hoping the application process goes smoothly!

Just to add some clarity on the work search requirements since you mentioned you're 65 - there are NO age exemptions for the work search requirements. Even if you're eligible for full Social Security retirement, PA UC still requires you to be actively seeking work. You must complete and document at least 2 work search activities each week, which can include applying for jobs, creating profiles on employment websites, attending networking events, etc. The key is to keep accurate records of all these activities in case you're audited.

One thing that might help ease your mind about the application process - Pennsylvania's UC system has actually gotten much better over the past couple years. I applied for benefits last fall at age 63 while collecting Social Security and the whole process was pretty straightforward. The online application walked me through everything step by step, including where to report my SS income. Just make sure you file your claim as soon as possible after your last day of work - you can actually file the Sunday of the week you become unemployed. Don't wait! And definitely set up direct deposit when you apply because paper checks can take much longer to arrive. The first payment usually comes about 2-3 weeks after filing if everything goes smoothly. You've got this! The combination of both benefits really helped me get through those first few months of job searching.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR - you're absolutely right to get this information sorted out ahead of time! One thing I'd add is that when you do file your UC claim, make sure to select "lack of work" or "layoff" as your reason for separation (not voluntary quit or fired for cause). Since your company is downsizing, this should be straightforward, but it's important to be accurate because it affects your eligibility. Also, don't let the HR person's confusion discourage you - unfortunately many HR departments aren't well-versed in unemployment law, especially regarding Social Security interactions. The UC system will make the final determination based on state regulations, not what your HR department thinks. Good luck with everything!

I'm in a similar boat - turning 66 next year and my employer just announced layoffs. This thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that might be useful for others: if you're already receiving Social Security when you apply for UC, make sure you have your Social Security award letter handy. The UC office may ask for documentation of your monthly benefit amount. Also, I called the PA UC customer service line last week (took forever to get through!) and they confirmed that Social Security retirement benefits are treated differently than Social Security disability benefits for UC purposes. Retirement benefits won't reduce your UC payment, but if anyone reading this is on disability, that's a different situation entirely and you should definitely check with UC directly. The rep also mentioned that they're seeing more people in our age group applying for benefits as companies continue to downsize. You're definitely not alone in this situation!

I went through this exact situation two years ago when I was 64! You absolutely can collect both PA UC benefits and Social Security - they don't interfere with each other at all. When I filed my UC claim, I just reported my SS income in the "other income" section like everyone mentioned, but it didn't reduce my weekly benefit amount one penny. A few practical tips from my experience: - File your claim the very first week you're eligible (the week you lose your job) - Keep meticulous records of your work search activities - I used a simple spreadsheet with dates, company names, and what I did (applied online, called, etc.) - Don't stress too much about the application - it's actually pretty user-friendly now The hardest part for me was adjusting to the job search at our age, but there are definitely opportunities out there. I ended up finding a great part-time position that worked perfectly with my Social Security. Hang in there - you'll get through this!

I'm actually going through something very similar right now! I'm 63 and just got notice that my position is being eliminated in 6 weeks. I've been putting off applying for Social Security because I wanted to keep working, but now I'm wondering if I should apply for both SS and unemployment when the time comes. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful - especially hearing from people who actually went through this process successfully. The tax implications that Tyler mentioned are definitely something I need to research more. I'm also going to start organizing all my employment documentation now so I'm ready to file immediately when my job ends. One question for anyone who's been through this: did you find that being on Social Security affected how employers viewed you during the job search process? I'm worried that some employers might assume I'm not serious about working long-term if they know I'm collecting SS benefits.