Can I start a part-time tutoring job while my PA UC application is still under review?

Hey there! I was in a similar situation last year. Yes, you CAN work part-time while your claim is processing, but you MUST report any earnings when you file your weekly certifications. PA has a formula where they deduct a portion of your earnings from your weekly benefit - basically you can earn 30% of your weekly benefit amount without reduction, then they deduct dollar-for-dollar after that. The important thing is being 100% transparent. Report the work and earnings right away. They'll calculate your partial benefits once approved. In my case, it actually helped show I was actively seeking work!

u can work but if u make too much they wont pay u for that week. i think its like 30% of ur benefit rate u can make before they start cutting ur benefits. so like if ur benefit is $400 u can make like $120 before they start taking money off ur UC check.

This is a common question I see working with UC claimants. Here's the official guidance: You MUST report ALL earnings during weeks you claim benefits, even while your application is pending. If approved, PA UC will calculate partial benefits based on your reported earnings. The formula is: You can earn 30% of your weekly benefit rate (WBR) with no reduction. After that, each dollar reduces your benefit by a dollar. Example: - Your WBR: $400 - 30% of WBR: $120 - Your tutoring pay: $95 - Since $95 < $120, you'd still receive your full benefit BUT - and this is important - you must be available for full-time work. If your tutoring schedule makes you unavailable for potential full-time employment, that could cause eligibility issues.

DONT DO IT!!! The system is RIGGED against us!! I started a tiny side gig while waiting for my claim and they used it as an excuse to DENY ME completely!! Said I wasn't "available for full-time work" even though it was just weekend stuff. Been fighting it for 2 months now with ZERO help from those people!!

If you need to talk to someone at PA UC about your specific situation, I highly recommend using Claimyr to get through to an agent. I was stuck with pending issues for weeks trying to call hundreds of times. Used their service and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They can check your claim status and give specific guidance about your work situation. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 or visit claimyr.com. Honestly way better than stressing about making the wrong move.

I started PT work b4 my claim was approved and everything was fine. When my approval came thru, they just calculated everything based on what I had reported in my weekly claims. Make sure you have documentation of your hours and pay from the tutoring job. BTW my application took almost 5 weeks to process so dont panic yet!

I worked at PA UC for 3 years. The most important thing is ACCURATE REPORTING. When you do your weekly certifications, you must report ANY earnings for the week (Sunday through Saturday). Enter the gross amount (before taxes) earned that week even if you haven't been paid yet. You won't be penalized for working part-time, but inaccurate reporting can lead to overpayments or fraud investigations. The system will automatically calculate your partial benefit based on earnings. Also, keep a detailed log of your work search activities - PA requires you to complete at least 2 work search activities per week, even with part-time work. This includes applications, interviews, job fair attendance, etc.

my cousin got a weekend job while waiting for UC and it was fine they just reduced his payment on weeks he worked but he still got most of his benefits

Thank you all so much for the advice! I think I'm going to accept the tutoring position and just be extremely careful about reporting everything correctly in my weekly certifications. The extra $95/week will help while I wait for my claim to process, and it sounds like it shouldn't affect my eligibility as long as I'm transparent. I'll continue my full-time job search and keep documenting everything meticulously. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to share your experiences!