Can PA UC pay me if I quit recent job due to unexpected death in family?

Im so sorry for your loss. Generally quitting for personal reasons is disqualifying for UC benefits. BUT there are exceptions and this might be one. Did you request any time off or accommodations before quitting? Did you explain to your employer it was due to a death? These details matter for your case.

they usualy deny u first then u have to APPEAL! thats how PA works, make u fight for everything lol

The PA unemployment system has specific rules for what counts as "necessitous and compelling" reasons to quit. A death in the family *can* qualify, but it depends on the circumstances and how you present your case. You'll need documentation of the death (death certificate or obituary) and should explain why it made continuing work impossible. You should also be prepared to show that you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment before quitting - like requesting leave or accommodations if possible.

They'll likely deny you initially because you quit, then you'll receive a Notice of Determination explaining why. At that point, you have 15 days to file an appeal. During the appeal hearing, you'll have the opportunity to explain the circumstances around your mother's death and why it made continuing work impossible. Make sure to emphasize the sudden nature of the death and your mental/emotional state that prevented you from making a more measured decision about requesting leave. Close family member deaths can qualify as good cause, especially parents.

im so sorry about ur mom. went thru similar situation last year but with my dad. PA uc actually approved me after i appealed and showed the funeral program and explained how close we were. dont give up if they deny u first!!

had a phone hearing. referee was nice. took like 20 mins

When you get the Notice of Determination (probably a denial), you'll want to immediately file your appeal. The problem is getting through to PA UC to check on your claim status can be nearly impossible these days. I recently discovered Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connects you directly to a UC agent without the busy signals and waiting. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Worth it when you're dealing with something as important as this - especially since you'll want to know exactly where things stand with your claim.

For your appeal, be sure to emphasize: 1. The unexpected nature of your mother's death 2. Your close relationship and how it impacted your mental health 3. Why continuing to work was impossible at that time 4. That you acted in the only way you felt capable of at the time (explaining why you didn't request leave first) 5. Your intention to return to the workforce once you've had time to process your grief The key for PA UC is showing that a reasonable person would have also found it necessary to quit under similar circumstances. Also, be prepared to answer if you've sought any grief counseling or support, as this shows you're actively working to address the situation.

Absolutely get a note from your therapist! That would be very strong supporting evidence. It shows you're addressing your mental health needs and validates the severity of your grief response. Make sure the note explains how your grief impacted your ability to work.

Just want to share something similar happened to me after my brother died. PA UC denied me initially (they deny almost everyone who quits), but I won on appeal. The referee was actually very understanding once I explained everything. Don't let the initial denial discourage you - that's just their standard process. And if you get scheduled for a hearing, MAKE SURE you attend it no matter what. Missing the hearing automatically means you lose your appeal.

For me it was about 7 weeks total - 3 weeks for the initial denial, then another 4 weeks until my hearing and decision. But when they approved me after the appeal, I got all the back weeks paid at once. It was a huge relief financially.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm going to start preparing for the appeal now even though I haven't been denied yet. I'll gather the death certificate, funeral program, and get a letter from my therapist. Really appreciate all your help during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother, Malik. Losing a parent is devastating and you shouldn't feel guilty about not being able to handle work immediately after such a traumatic event. Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you have a good chance on appeal even though PA UC will likely deny you initially. The fact that you've already started grief counseling shows you're taking steps to address your mental health, which will help your case. Make sure to emphasize in your appeal that your mother's death was sudden and unexpected, and that you were in such severe emotional distress that you couldn't think clearly enough to request leave. A reasonable person in your situation would understand why continuing to work felt impossible. Stay strong and don't give up if they deny you first - many people win these appeals when they have legitimate good cause like you do.