Can I get PA UC benefits after being fired for missing work days?

Whether you qualify depends on if your employer can prove 'willful misconduct.' PA UC generally considers excessive absenteeism as willful misconduct, BUT if you had legitimate reasons and documentation (like your doctor's notes), you might have a case. When you apply, make sure to clearly explain each absence was for good cause. They'll interview both you and your employer before making a decision. The key issue will be those 2 days your car broke down - did you notify your employer in advance? Did you try to find alternative transportation?

i got fired for missing work too but i still got benefits!!! they denied me at first then i appealed and won. just be honest about everything

PA UC examines each case individually. The standard they use is whether your actions constitute "willful misconduct." Here's what matters: 1. Doctor's notes for illness are extremely important - keep those safe 2. For the car breakdowns, they'll look at whether you: - Provided proper notice to your employer - Made reasonable efforts to find alternative transportation - Had a pattern of similar issues before When you file, you'll likely be initially denied because most employers contest these claims. Be prepared to appeal and attend a hearing where you can present your documentation and explain your side in detail. Make sure to meet all deadlines in the process. The fact that 3 of 5 absences were documented medical issues works in your favor. The appeal referee will weigh all this information.

You should definitely apply no matter what!!! I had a similar thing happen in 2023 and got approved. BUT start job searching right away because 1) PA requires work search activities every week and 2) it could take FOREVER to get approved especially if there's an appeal.

Let me share my experience - I was struggling to get through to PA UC to explain my situation which was somewhat similar to yours. I ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected with an agent same day instead of spending weeks trying to reach someone. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 When I finally talked to an agent, they explained that having documentation for my absences made a huge difference. The agent actually helped me understand exactly what to submit for my appeal and I was eventually approved. It was definitely worth getting personalized advice for my specific situation rather than trying to figure it out alone.

EVERYONE LISTEN!!! The PA UC system is DESIGNED to reject your claim first!!! They ALWAYS side with employers initially!!! If you get denied DO NOT GIVE UP!!! Appeal immediately and be ready to FIGHT for your benefits!!! They denied me THREE TIMES before I finally got approved!!! The system is BROKEN!!!

Make sure you document EVERYTHING. I was in a somewhat similar situation last year where I missed several days for health reasons. What really helped me was having: - Doctor's notes with specific dates - Text messages showing I notified my boss in advance - A written warning I received about attendance (showed they didn't just fire me instantly) - Bus schedules showing why public transport wasn't feasible Keep in mind PA requires you to do work search activities every week while claiming, regardless of whether you think you'll win your case. Look for at least 2 jobs and keep records of where you applied.

One time I overslept and got fired and still got unemployment lol but my boss didnt fight it so maybe thats why?? Good luck!!

One important clarification: When you file your initial claim, you'll be asked about the reason for separation. Be honest but precise - state you were terminated due to absences, but that the absences were due to documented illness and transportation difficulties beyond your control. Then you'll face a crucial waiting period where your employer can provide their side of the story. This creates what's called an "open issue" on your claim. This doesn't automatically mean denial - it just means they need to investigate. If your claim gets denied initially (which happens in most attendance-related cases), you'll receive a Notice of Determination. You'll have 15 days from the mailing date to file an appeal. Don't miss this deadline under any circumstances. During the appeal process, continue filing your weekly claims and completing your work search activities. If you win on appeal, you'll receive all back payments you qualified for.

Based on what you've described, you actually have a decent chance of qualifying for benefits! The key is that 3 out of 5 absences were for documented medical reasons - that's huge in your favor. PA UC considers whether your employer had "just cause" to terminate you, and legitimate illness with doctor's notes typically doesn't qualify as willful misconduct. For the car trouble days, the fact that you called 2+ hours in advance shows good faith effort to notify your employer. Document everything: keep those doctor's notes, screenshot any texts you sent to your manager, and maybe even print out the bus route times to show unreasonable commute expectations. Here's what I'd recommend: 1. File your claim ASAP - don't wait 2. Be completely honest about the absences but emphasize the medical documentation 3. Start job searching immediately (PA requires work search activities) 4. Expect an initial denial and be prepared to appeal - this is super common for attendance cases 5. Keep all your documentation organized for the appeal hearing The restaurant industry fights most UC claims because it affects their tax rates, so don't get discouraged if they contest it. Your medical documentation gives you a strong foundation for an appeal. Good luck!

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago - got fired from a retail job for missing too many days, but most of mine were also for legitimate health reasons. Here's what I learned from the process: The good news is that having doctor's notes for 3 out of 5 absences puts you in a much stronger position than most people think. PA UC doesn't automatically deny for attendance issues - they look at whether it was "willful misconduct" vs. circumstances beyond your control. For your car trouble days, the fact that you gave 2+ hours notice and the cost of alternatives (Uber) being more than your daily pay actually matters. Document this! I wish I had been more thorough with my documentation. My case took about 3 months total - initial denial, then appeal, then finally approved. The hearing was nerve-wracking but having my medical records organized made all the difference. The referee specifically asked about my efforts to notify my employer and whether I had good cause for the absences. Start your application now and don't get discouraged if you're initially denied. Most attendance-related claims go through the appeal process, but legitimate medical reasons with documentation have a good success rate. Just make sure you're actively job searching and reporting it weekly - they check on that stuff! Feel free to ask if you have questions about the appeal process when you get there.

I'm in a really similar boat right now - got let go from my job at a grocery store last month for missing 6 days over two months. Like you, most of mine were legitimate (had COVID for 4 days with a positive test, plus one day for a family emergency and one car issue). I filed my claim about 3 weeks ago and just got my initial denial letter yesterday. Reading through everyone's advice here, I'm definitely going to appeal. What really struck me from your situation is that you had doctor's notes for the flu - that's solid documentation that should work in your favor. One thing I learned from calling the UC office (took forever to get through) is that they really do look at the "good cause" aspect. The agent told me that documented illness is almost never considered willful misconduct, especially with doctor's notes. Your car breaking down with advance notice also shows you weren't just skipping work carelessly. I'm starting my appeal paperwork tomorrow and honestly feeling more hopeful after reading everyone's experiences here. The waiting and uncertainty is the worst part, but it sounds like people with legitimate reasons and good documentation do win these cases. Definitely file your claim ASAP if you haven't already - even if you get denied initially, at least the clock starts ticking for potential back pay. Good luck with everything! This whole process is stressful but you're definitely not alone in dealing with it.

I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - got fired from a warehouse job for missing 7 days over 6 weeks, but most were for legitimate reasons (had pneumonia with doctor documentation, plus a couple days for car issues). Here's what I learned: PA UC absolutely does consider the circumstances of your absences, not just the number. Your doctor's notes for the flu are HUGE - that's documented medical necessity, which PA specifically excludes from willful misconduct. The car breakdowns are trickier, but the fact that you called 2+ hours ahead and the alternative transportation costs show you weren't being careless. I was initially denied (like most people), but won on appeal after about 4 months total. The hearing referee specifically asked about my documentation and efforts to notify my employer. Having everything organized - doctor's notes, text screenshots, even a breakdown of why public transit wasn't feasible - made all the difference. My advice: File ASAP, expect the initial denial, and start preparing for your appeal right away. Keep job searching (PA requires it), and don't let the initial "no" discourage you. With 3 out of 5 absences being documented medical reasons, you're in a much stronger position than you might think. The system is frustrating but it does work for people with legitimate cases like yours.

I was in almost exactly your situation last year - fired from a restaurant job for attendance issues, but most of my absences were legitimate. Here's what I wish I had known: Your case actually sounds pretty strong! Having doctor's notes for 3 out of 5 absences is a major advantage. PA UC specifically excludes documented medical reasons from "willful misconduct," so those flu days with doctor's notes should work heavily in your favor. For the car breakdown days, the key factors that helped me were: - Giving advance notice (which you did with 2+ hours) - Showing that alternative transportation was unreasonably expensive or time-consuming - Demonstrating this wasn't a pattern of irresponsible behavior I'd recommend documenting everything NOW before you file: 1. Organize those doctor's notes with dates 2. Screenshot any texts you sent to your manager about the absences 3. Maybe research/document the actual Uber costs vs. your daily wage to show it was financially impossible 4. Look up bus routes/times to show the 2+ hour commute wasn't feasible I was initially denied (super common for attendance cases) but won on appeal after about 3 months. The hearing referee was really interested in my documentation and the fact that I had made good faith efforts to notify my employer and find solutions. File your claim this week if you haven't already, keep job searching, and don't get discouraged by an initial denial. With your medical documentation, you have a much better shot than you think. The waiting period sucks, but if you win, you'll get all the back pay from when you first filed.