Can I get PA UC benefits if I was arrested? Job loss after 3-day jail stay

Hate to tell you this but your friend is probably right. PA UC considers getting fired for missing work due to incarceration as willful misconduct, which typically disqualifies you. But every case is different and you should still apply anyway.

This situation is more complex than a simple yes/no answer. When you apply for benefits, PA UC will contact your employer for their side of the story. The key question will be whether your actions leading to the arrest constitute 'willful misconduct' under PA unemployment law. Generally, being unavailable for work due to incarceration is considered within your control and may disqualify you. However, if the charges are dropped and you can prove the arrest was truly a misunderstanding, you might have a case in appeal. You should: 1. Apply for benefits regardless 2. Be honest about the circumstances 3. Provide documentation showing charges were dropped 4. Be prepared to appeal if denied Each case is evaluated on its individual merits.

my cousin got arrested for somthing similar and he DID get benefits but only after he appeald the first decision. took like 2 months total i think

Former HR manager here. The specific employer policy matters a lot. Some companies have explicit policies that termination due to incarceration is automatic misconduct, while others might classify a brief absence differently. Did your company have an employee handbook outlining their attendance policy? Also, does your company know WHY you didn't call in, or did they just process it as a regular no-call/no-show?

I spent 3 years working at PA UC as a claims examiner. Here's the reality: initially, you'll likely be denied because termination for attendance issues related to incarceration typically falls under willful misconduct. HOWEVER, you absolutely should apply and then appeal if denied. During the appeal, focus on these points: 1. The temporary nature of the detention 2. The fact the charges are being dropped 3. Your previous good standing with the company 4. That you attempted to notify them through your mother Approximately 40% of willful misconduct denials are overturned on appeal when mitigating circumstances exist. The key is documenting everything and clearly explaining why your situation deserves consideration.

the system is such BS!! my brother was in same situation. denied because "willful misconduct" but he DIDNT DO ANYTHING WRONG!! was falsely arrested and charges dropped later but still punished by losing his job AND no benefits. PA UC IS RIGGED!!!!!

Have you been trying to call the PA UC office to ask about your specific situation? I was in a similar situation (medical emergency, not arrest) and needed to speak directly with a claims examiner. I tried for WEEKS with nothing but busy signals and disconnections. Finally I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) - they got me through to a PA UC agent within about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent I spoke with was able to give me specific advice for my situation that I couldn't find anywhere online. Definitely worth talking to an actual examiner before you file so you can present your case in the best way possible.

just wondering what kind of work do u do? some industries r more forgiving than others bout this stuff. my buddy works construction and his boss has hired guys with records no problem

After reading through the thread, here's what I'd recommend: 1. File your UC claim ASAP (don't wait for court) 2. In the separation information, be factual but brief - "Terminated for absence due to temporary detention; charges to be dismissed" 3. Gather documentation: court paperwork showing dismissal, any proof your mother called, copy of company handbook 4. Be prepared for an initial denial 5. If denied, immediately file an appeal (15-day deadline) 6. Speak to an actual UC representative about your specific situation (using the contact method suggested above if needed) Many people give up after the initial denial, but the appeal process exists for situations with nuance like yours.

also apply for jobs right away dont wait for UC to come thru because even if approved itll take weeks anyway good luck man

I work in employment law and see cases like this regularly. While the initial determination may go against you due to the incarceration-related absence, you have several factors working in your favor for an appeal: 1) charges being dropped suggests lack of actual wrongdoing, 2) your mother attempted to notify the employer, showing good faith effort, 3) 14 months of good employment history, and 4) the temporary/brief nature of the detention. Document everything - court dismissal papers, any communication your mother had with the employer, your employment record, etc. PA unemployment law does allow for consideration of "compelling personal reasons" in some misconduct cases. The appeal hearing will be your real opportunity to present your case. Don't be discouraged if initially denied - that's unfortunately common but not the end of the road.

I went through something similar about 2 years ago - got arrested on a Friday night for something that ended up being dismissed, missed work Monday and Tuesday, got fired. Initially denied UC benefits for "willful misconduct" but won on appeal. The key things that helped me were: 1) getting a letter from my lawyer confirming the charges were dropped, 2) showing I had someone try to contact my employer (like your mom did), and 3) emphasizing that it was a one-time incident with an otherwise clean record. The appeal hearing was actually pretty fair - they asked about my work history, what happened, and whether I tried to notify my employer. Having documentation made all the difference. It took about 6 weeks total from filing to getting my first payment after the appeal, but it was worth it. Stay positive and definitely file ASAP even if you think you'll be denied initially. The appeals process exists for exactly these kinds of situations.

Just wanted to add - when you do file your claim, make sure to mention that your mother attempted to contact your employer on your behalf during your detention. PA UC recognizes that incarcerated individuals literally cannot make the calls themselves, so having a family member attempt notification shows you didn't just abandon your responsibilities. Also, keep records of your job search efforts starting now. Even if you're denied initially, showing you're actively seeking work strengthens your case that you're genuinely unemployed through no fault of your own rather than trying to game the system. The fact that you're asking these questions and planning to appeal shows good faith, which appeals officers do notice. Best of luck with your hearing next week - getting those charges dropped will be huge for your UC case!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - make sure you understand the timeline for filing. You generally want to file your UC claim within the first week after job separation to avoid any delays in benefit start dates, even if you expect an initial denial. The waiting periods and benefit weeks are calculated from when you first file, not from when you're eventually approved after appeal. Also, during your appeal hearing (if it comes to that), be prepared for questions about whether you could have handled the situation differently. They may ask things like "could you have called from jail" or "why didn't you have someone call sooner." Have clear, honest answers ready. The fact that your mom called on day 2 actually shows reasonable effort given the circumstances. Document your income from the warehouse job too - pay stubs, W2s, etc. You'll need to prove you meet the monetary eligibility requirements regardless of how the misconduct issue gets resolved.

I'm dealing with a somewhat similar situation right now (domestic dispute arrest, charges likely being dismissed) and this whole thread has been incredibly helpful. What I'm taking away is that the initial denial is almost expected, but the appeal process is where cases like ours actually get decided fairly. One question for those who've been through appeals - how long did you have to wait between filing the appeal and actually getting the hearing scheduled? I'm trying to budget for how long I might be without any income while this gets sorted out. Also, has anyone had success getting temporary assistance while waiting for UC appeals to process? I know there are other programs but not sure if applying for those affects your UC case at all.