Can I get PA UC benefits with severely reduced hours? Currently at 25hrs/week

Yes! You absolutely can file for partial unemployment in PA if your hours have been reduced. This is exactly what partial benefits are designed for. Go to www.uc.pa.gov and click on "File an Initial Claim." You'll need your employer info, pay stubs showing your reduction, and your ID. Make sure to report your current earnings each week when you file your weekly claims. The system will calculate if you're eligible for a partial benefit payment based on what you're earning now vs. before.

i filed for partial last year when my company cut hours. its not that hard but remember u HAVE to report ALL earnings every week or youll get hit with overpayment later and that SUCKS

Your employer WILL find out you filed!!!! They get notified and have to confirm your employment details. When I filed last year my boss was PISSED even though it's my RIGHT to file! Just be prepared for that conversation. Some employers take it personally even though the UC payments don't come directly from them (they pay into the system regardless).

Good luck getting through to anyone on the phone if you have questions! I spent TWO MONTHS trying to reach someone about my partial benefits last year. The system is completely broken.

To answer your specific question about eligibility: In Pennsylvania, you can receive partial UC benefits if your hours are reduced by at least 20% AND your weekly earnings are less than your weekly benefit rate plus the partial benefit credit (30% of your weekly benefit rate). So for example, if your full weekly benefit would be $400, you could earn up to $520 per week and still receive some partial benefits. Also, make sure you understand that Pennsylvania requires you to complete work search activities even when receiving partial benefits - you need to apply for two jobs and complete one work search activity each week. Document everything carefully.

I filed for partial UC back in November when my retail hours got slashed after the holidays. One thing nobody mentioned yet - if you make too much money in any given week, you won't get benefits for that week. The system calculates it weekly. So if you have one good week with more hours and one bad week with fewer, you might only get benefits for the bad week. Just don't be surprised if some weeks show $0 benefit amount.

btw my manager actually helped me file for partial uc when they cut my hours. not all bosses r jerks about it. some understand its just business.

One more tip: When you file your initial claim, you'll need to provide your income from all four quarters of the previous calendar year. This determines your weekly benefit rate. Have your W-2 or pay stubs ready before you start the application process. The system will time out if you take too long, and you'll have to start over.

MAKE SURE you select "LACK OF WORK" as your reason for filing when you apply!! If you pick anything else they'll probably deny you and you'll have to appeal which is a WHOLE OTHER NIGHTMARE!!!!

Just wanted to add that once you file, it might take 2-3 weeks to get your first payment. The system is really backed up right now. So don't panic if you don't see money right away.

After reading through all the comments, I think you have good information to proceed. To summarize for you: 1. You do qualify for partial UC benefits with a 35% reduction in hours 2. File online at www.uc.pa.gov and select "lack of work" as your reason 3. Report your earnings accurately each week when filing weekly claims 4. Understand your employer will be notified about your claim 5. Complete and document your work search activities each week 6. Be patient with processing times and payment schedules Good luck with your claim!

I just went through this exact same situation last month! My restaurant cut my hours from 35 to 20 per week and I was approved for partial benefits. One thing I wish someone had told me - when you file your weekly claims, they ask for your GROSS earnings (before taxes), not what you actually take home. I made that mistake the first week and had to call to correct it. Also, set up direct deposit right away because the debit card they send takes forever to arrive. The whole process was way less scary than I thought it would be. You've got this!

Hey Ethan! I'm in a similar boat - my hours got cut from 40 to 22 per week at my warehouse job. I filed for partial UC about 6 weeks ago and it's been a lifesaver. A few things that might help: First, gather ALL your documentation before you start the online application - W-2, recent pay stubs showing the reduction, employer contact info, etc. The application will ask for specific dates when your hours were reduced, so have that ready too. Second, don't stress too much about your employer being notified - it's totally normal and legal, and most reasonable employers understand that people need to supplement their income when hours get cut. The hardest part for me was actually the work search requirements since I'm still working, but you can count things like updating your LinkedIn profile, attending virtual job fairs, or taking free online courses through PA CareerLink. Keep detailed records of everything you do. You're going to get through this!

I was in almost the exact same situation as you back in October! Hours cut from 38 to 24 per week at my office job. I was so stressed about applying but it turned out to be much easier than I expected. A couple things that really helped me: Download the PA UC mobile app after you file your initial claim - it makes filing your weekly claims SO much faster than using the website. Also, they have a feature where you can upload photos of your work search documentation right in the app, which is super convenient. One mistake I made was waiting too long to file because I kept thinking my hours might get restored. Don't wait - you can always stop claiming if your situation improves! The partial benefits literally kept me from getting evicted while I looked for a second part-time job. Start your application tonight like you planned, and remember that this is exactly what the system is designed for. You're not taking advantage of anything - you've been paying into this system through your taxes. Wishing you the best of luck!

I went through this same situation about 8 months ago when my retail job cut my hours from 35 to 18 per week. The application process was actually pretty straightforward once I got started. A few tips that would have saved me some headaches: Make sure you know the exact date your hours were first reduced - the system asks for this specifically and I had to dig through old schedules to find it. Also, if you have any side income (like DoorDash, freelance work, etc.) you MUST report that too when filing weekly claims, even small amounts. I learned that the hard way when they flagged my account for not reporting $50 I made from selling something online. The good news is that partial UC really does help bridge the gap while you figure out your next move. In my case, it bought me time to find a better full-time position without having to panic about rent. One last thing - save copies of everything you submit and keep a record of all your weekly certifications. The system sometimes glitches and having your own records can save you if there are any issues later. You're taking the right step by applying - don't let anyone make you feel bad about using a program you've paid into!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR - please don't stress too much about your employer's reaction when they get notified about your UC claim. While yes, they will be contacted to verify your employment and hours reduction, this is completely routine and happens thousands of times per day across Pennsylvania. Any employer who retaliates against an employee for filing a legitimate UC claim is actually breaking the law. I've processed dozens of these notifications over the years and honestly, most managers barely even notice them because hour reductions and partial UC claims are so common, especially in retail and food service. Your employer already made the business decision to cut your hours - they can't be surprised that you need to supplement your income as a result. Focus on getting your application in and don't let worry about their reaction delay you from getting the financial help you need and deserve. The system exists specifically for situations like yours!

I'm in Pennsylvania too and just wanted to add that you should file your weekly certifications on the same day each week if possible - I usually do mine on Sunday evenings. The system can get really slow on Mondays when everyone is trying to file at once. Also, make sure you have a reliable internet connection when you're doing the initial application because if it times out halfway through, you'll lose everything and have to start over (learned this the hard way!). One more thing - if you get approved, your weekly benefit amount will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by anything you earn over a small threshold (I think it's around $60 in PA), so don't expect to get your full benefit amount every week while you're still working those 25 hours. But even a partial payment can make a huge difference when you're struggling to pay bills. Good luck with your application tonight!