Can I collect PA UC while recovering from injury with reduced hours? (No STD coverage)

Yes, you can potentially qualify for partial unemployment if your hours were reduced through no fault of your own. Even though your reduction is due to a non-work injury, PA UC should still consider your claim valid since you're available for limited work. Your weekly benefit will be reduced based on what you do earn during your limited hours.\n\nAs for the State Rep meeting - ABSOLUTELY this can help. Their offices often have direct contacts at UC who can flag accounts for review. I was stuck in limbo for almost 2 months last year until I reached out to my rep. My claim was suddenly processed within 3 days after they made a call. Make sure you have your claim number, filing dates, and income details ready for the meeting. Good luck!

Thank you SO much for this info! That makes me feel a bit better about tomorrow's meeting. Did your rep ask for any specific documents during your meeting? I have my claim number and filing dates but wondering if I should prepare anything else?

OMG the PA unemployment system is a NIGHTMARE when ur trying to get partial benefits!!! I had my hours cut last year (not injury but slow season) and it took FOREVER to get approved. They kept saying i needed to prove i was 'able and available' for full time work even tho i was still working part time?? Makes NO SENSE. The review status can last for WEEKS with zero explanation.\n\nThe system is designed to make u give up!!! I had to call like 200 times before i finally got through to someone who could help. State Rep might help but don't count on it they all just pass the buck!!

Same here! My claim was in review for 6 weeks and I never found out why. Just magically started getting payments one day. The PA UC system is broken beyond belief.

i think they might deny u bc the injury didn't happen at work. not sure tho. my cousin tried to get unemployment when he broke his leg skiing and they said no because it was his

This is actually a misconception. The key factor for UC eligibility isn't where or how you were injured - it's whether you're able and available for some work. If the doctor has cleared you for limited work and your employer can't accommodate those restrictions, you can potentially qualify for partial benefits. Workers' comp is different and would only apply for work-related injuries.

oh ok thx for clearing that up! unemployment rules r confusing

If you've been trying to reach PA UC for 4 weeks with no success, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in a similar situation with reduced hours and my claim stuck in review. Spent weeks trying to get through on the phone with no luck. A friend told me about claimyr.com and I was skeptical but desperate. It actually worked - got me connected to a UC rep in about 30 minutes instead of endless busy signals. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The rep I finally spoke with was able to see exactly why my claim was in review (missing employer response) and pushed it through that day. Might be worth trying if the State Rep meeting doesn't resolve things.

Is this legit? Sounds like a scam tbh. Why would you need a service to call unemployment? 🤔

I was skeptical too! But it's just a system that keeps redialing for you and alerts you when it gets through. PA's phone system is completely overwhelmed - I tried calling 50+ times myself with no luck. This just automated the process. My claim had been stuck for almost 6 weeks before I finally got it resolved.

Make sure you're reporting your limited earnings correctly on your weekly certifications. When I was on partial UC last year, I messed this up at first by reporting my pre-injury hours instead of my actual reduced hours. This caused my claim to go into review status because the system flagged it as an inconsistency. \n\nAlso ask your doctor for clear documentation about your work restrictions - having this on hand during your meeting with the State Rep might help resolve things faster. They may need to see that you're medically limited but still able to work some hours. \n\nDefinitely bring up the financial hardship during your meeting. The Rep's office can sometimes flag your claim as priority due to financial urgency. I hope you get it resolved soon!

Thanks for this advice! I think I've been reporting my earnings correctly but I definitely didn't submit any medical documentation with my initial claim. I'll bring my doctor's note to the meeting tomorrow. Really appreciate everyone's help here.

just a head's up the state rep meeting might not solve everything right away. my brother had one in jan and they said they'd

That's disappointing to hear, but I appreciate the realistic expectation. I'm hoping for the best but will prepare for more waiting. This whole situation is so frustrating.

One more thing to consider - if your claim is approved, make sure you understand how partial benefits are calculated. PA uses a formula where they deduct a portion of your part-time earnings from your benefit amount. The basic calculation is:\n\n1. Your weekly benefit rate based on your past earnings\n2. Minus 30% of your part-time wages\n3. Equals your partial benefit payment\n\nSo if your weekly benefit rate would be $400, and you earn $200 working your reduced hours, they'd deduct $60 (30% of $200), leaving you with a $340 partial benefit. This plus your $200 in wages would give you $540 total for the week.\n\nHope your meeting goes well tomorrow! Please update us on what happens.

This is incredibly helpful! I had no idea how they calculated partial benefits. I'll definitely update after my meeting tomorrow. Fingers crossed that they can help move my claim along.

Good luck with your State Rep meeting tomorrow! I went through something similar when I had surgery last year and was on restricted hours. A few tips that helped me: 1. Bring copies of everything - your claim number, medical restrictions letter, pay stubs showing the hour reduction, and any correspondence from UC 2. Ask specifically for a case worker assignment or priority review - sometimes claims get stuck because they're not assigned to anyone 3. Get a reference number or case ID from the Rep's office so you can follow up My Rep's office actually called UC while I was in the meeting and got my claim escalated to a supervisor. It still took about a week to process after that, but at least things started moving. The key is having documentation that shows you're available for the limited work your doctor cleared you for. Also, once you do get approved, keep detailed records of your weekly earnings and certifications. The system can be glitchy with partial claims and you want to be able to prove everything if issues come up later. Hope it works out for you!