Can PA UC approve benefits after quitting due to relocation? Starting new job in a few weeks
I'm in a tough spot and looking for some advice from anyone who's dealt with PA unemployment after voluntarily quitting. We just bought a house about 60 miles from my previous job (couldn't pass up the opportunity in this market!) and the commute was just impossible to manage. I did secure a new position but my start date isn't until Feb 28th (about 5 weeks away). I've heard PA UC generally denies benefits if you quit, but I'm wondering if relocation counts as a 'necessitous and compelling reason' that I've seen mentioned on their website? Has anyone successfully received benefits in a similar situation? I'm getting really anxious about covering bills during this gap period.
19 comments
Benjamin Johnson
u need to have a VERY good reason 4 quitting or they deny u automatically. moving cuz u bought a house probably wont cut it tbh
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Victoria Scott
•That's what I was afraid of. Do you know if there's any appeal process if they deny me? I really did try to make the commute work for a few weeks but it was 2+ hours each way with traffic.
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Zara Perez
Pennsylvania UC has very specific guidelines about what qualifies as a necessitous and compelling reason to quit. Generally, relocating because you purchased a home doesn't qualify unless there were other factors involved. However, if the distance made the commute unreasonable (generally more than 45 minutes each way or if public transportation isn't available), you might have a case. Be prepared to document that you attempted to make the commute work and that it was genuinely unreasonable. Also, make sure you can prove you've secured another position with a firm start date. They'll want to see that you're not just voluntarily unemployed.
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Daniel Rogers
•This!! 👆 I went through something kinda similar in 2019 and was denied initially but won on appeal when I proved the commute was impossible (no car + no bus route). Document EVERYTHING about your attempts to make it work!
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Aaliyah Reed
I quit my job when we moved across the state last year and they DENIED me instantly. Waste of time applying. The UC system just looks for any reason to say no!!!!
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Ella Russell
•Not always true... my cousin quit when her husband got transferred and she got benefits. Its all about how u present ur case and if u can prove u had no choice. The UC examiner makes a big difference too, some are way more reasonable than others.
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Mohammed Khan
I had success with a somewhat similar situation in 2025. The key is that you need to prove that you attempted to preserve the employment relationship before quitting. Here's what worked for me: 1. I documented that I asked my employer for a transfer to a closer location (they didn't have one) 2. I requested remote work accommodations (was denied) 3. I showed that my commute exceeded 2 hours each way 4. I had documentation that I'd secured another position Make sure you're completely honest on your application about the reason for separation. If you say anything other than "quit" they'll eventually find out from your employer and hit you with an overpayment. Be prepared for an initial denial and to go through the appeal process, which takes about 3-4 weeks. During your interview, emphasize the unreasonable commute time rather than the home purchase (which was a voluntary choice).
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Victoria Scott
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I did ask about remote work and they said no because of the hands-on nature of my job. I'll make sure to gather all my documentation about the commute time too. Did you continue filing weekly claims even after the initial denial while waiting for the appeal?
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Mohammed Khan
Yes, absolutely continue filing weekly claims during the appeal process. If you win your appeal, they'll only pay for weeks you properly certified for. As for your interview, expect questions about: 1. Why you purchased a home so far from work 2. Whether you considered the commute before buying 3. If you explored carpooling options 4. Whether you tried to find work closer to your old home before moving The key is proving that despite your voluntary decision to purchase a home, the resulting commute created an impossible situation that gave you no choice but to quit. Having secured another position helps your case significantly as it shows you're not trying to just collect benefits indefinitely.
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Ella Russell
Has anyone tried using Claimyr to get through to a PA UC agent? I sat on hold for HOURS last month trying to ask about my relocation claim, but I just found this service at claimyr.com that gets you through to an agent usually within an hour! They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Might be worth checking out if you need to discuss your specific situation with someone who can actually help. Way better than getting disconnected after waiting all day.
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Benjamin Johnson
•does it actually work tho? sounds 2 good 2 b true lol
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Ella Russell
•It worked for me! Got through in about 40 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent was able to tell me exactly what documentation I needed for my circumstance.
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Gavin King
im so confused abt what counts as a good reason for quitting??? the UC handbook mentions family circumstances but does moving count as that??? and if i get denied can i appeal it or is that just wasting time??? freaking out bc i also quit last month (different reason - safety issues) and im scared ill get denied too
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Zara Perez
•Safety issues are actually much more likely to be approved than relocation! Make sure you document any incident reports or communications about unsafe conditions. Preserving your safety is definitely considered a necessitous and compelling reason in PA.
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Nathan Kim
My sister-in-law just dealt with this exact situation back in November. She quit because they bought a house in Erie and her job was in Pittsburgh. PA UC denied her initially, but she appealed and won because: 1. She had documented asking her employer to transfer her to their Erie office (they refused) 2. She tried the commute for 3 weeks and kept a log of the drive times and costs 3. She had medical documentation that the long commute was exacerbating her back problems So it IS possible, but you need strong evidence. Having a new job lined up definitely helps your case too.
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Victoria Scott
•The medical documentation angle is interesting - I actually do have some back issues that long car rides make worse. I hadn't thought to include that in my application. Did she file the appeal online or did she have to mail something in?
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Nathan Kim
•She filed it online and then had a phone hearing about 3 weeks later. Make sure you upload any doctor's notes or medical records with your appeal!
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Mohammed Khan
One more important tip: when you file your biweekly claims during this period, make sure you're reporting that you're able and available for suitable work. If you answer that you're not available or have restrictions, they'll deny you regardless of your separation reason. Also, you'll need to be actively searching for work and recording your work search activities for each week, even though you have a job lined up. PA requires at least two work search activities per week (applications, interviews, etc.). The system doesn't make exceptions for people with future start dates.
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Victoria Scott
•That's a great tip - I wouldn't have thought about still needing to do the work search activities since I already have a job lined up. I'll make sure to keep track of everything. Thank you so much for all your help!
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