Confused about PA UC work search requirements - how to properly log applications on CareerLink?
I'm so stressed about making sure I'm doing my work search requirements correctly for PA unemployment. I've been on UC for about 3 weeks now after being laid off from my warehouse job. I did register with PA CareerLink like they told me to, but I'm completely confused about how I'm supposed to track my job applications and work search activities properly. I've been applying to jobs through Indeed and LinkedIn (about 5-6 per week), and I also went to a resume workshop at the library. But when I log into CareerLink, there's no obvious place where these activities are being recorded. I filled out the UC-304 form and uploaded it to my UC portal under Documents, but is that enough? Do I HAVE to apply to jobs through CareerLink directly for them to count? Or can I apply elsewhere and just record it? And how exactly am I supposed to be recording these activities week to week? The instructions are so vague and I'm terrified of losing my benefits over a technicality. Can someone walk me through exactly how to properly log 2 job applications and 1 work search activity each week?
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Miranda Singer
You're doing fine! You DON'T have to apply through CareerLink for jobs to count toward your work search requirements. You can apply anywhere (Indeed, company websites, LinkedIn, etc.) and they all count as valid applications. The important part is keeping track of them. The UC-304 form you're using is exactly the right way to document everything. Keep filling that out each week with your 2+ job applications and 1+ work search activity. Uploading it to your Documents in the UC portal is also correct. When you file your weekly claim, you'll be asked if you completed your work search activities - just answer yes as long as you did the minimum requirements. Keep those UC-304 forms for your records because UC might audit you later and ask for proof. But you don't need to do anything special in CareerLink itself to track these activities.
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Aliyah Debovski
•Thank you so much for explaining this! So just to be 100% clear - as long as I'm filling out the UC-304 form with all my job applications and work search activities (and keeping proof like confirmation emails), I'm meeting the requirements? Even if nothing shows up in my CareerLink account? That's a huge relief.
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Cass Green
dont overthink it just apply to jobs and keep a list. they barely ever check this stuff unless they audit u. i been on UC 3 times and they never once asked me to prove my job searches lol
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Finley Garrett
•This is terrible advice. I got audited last year and almost lost my benefits because I couldn't prove all my work searches. The penalty for not meeting work search requirements can be severe - they can make you pay back benefits and even charge you with fraud. ALWAYS document everything properly!
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Madison Tipne
Here's the official requirements broken down simply: 1. You must complete at least 2 job applications and 1 work search activity each week 2. Job applications can be through ANY method (CareerLink, Indeed, direct to employer, etc.) 3. Work search activities include things like attending job fairs, creating/posting resumes, taking job skills workshops, etc. 4. You must DOCUMENT all of this using the UC-304 form or similar record 5. Keep this documentation for AT LEAST 2 YEARS after filing You do NOT need to record these in CareerLink specifically. The system will ask you during your weekly certification if you met the requirements - just answer honestly. If you're still having trouble reaching someone at UC to confirm this, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you get through to PA UC agents quickly instead of dealing with busy signals and disconnections. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I used them when I had questions about my work search requirements and got through to a real person in about 20 minutes.
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Aliyah Debovski
•This is exactly the kind of clear explanation I needed! Thank you so much. I've been calling UC for days with no luck, so I might check out that service you mentioned. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything by the book so I don't risk losing my benefits.
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Holly Lascelles
OK so I had same problem when I first started UC in January. What confused me was the PA CareerLink says "record your job search activities here" but then there's no obvious place to do it! So frustrating! I just keep an Excel spreadsheet with all my applications and activities, plus I save all confirmation emails from jobs I apply to. When I certify each week I just say YES to the work search question. Been working fine for me since January.
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Malia Ponder
•Using Excel is smart but be careful - the official UC-304 form has specific fields they want you to fill out. An Excel sheet might work but if you get audited, they could potentially reject it if it doesn't have all the required info. The UC-304 form asks for specific details like business name, address, phone number, type of work sought, method of contact, result of application, etc. Just make sure your spreadsheet captures ALL that information.
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Kyle Wallace
Does anyone know if attending online webinars about career development count as a work search activity??? I found some free ones on Youtube but idk if those count officially or if they have to be through CareerLink specifically???
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Miranda Singer
•Yes, attending career development webinars absolutely counts as a work search activity! They don't have to be through CareerLink. Just make sure you document the name of the webinar, the date, who hosted it, and what it covered. Save a screenshot or confirmation email if possible as evidence that you attended.
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Finley Garrett
The Pennsylvania UC system is DELIBERATELY CONFUSING about this requirement. They don't make it clear how to properly document work searches because they WANT people to mess up so they can deny benefits. It's absolutely infuriating. I got audited last year and even though I had been doing MORE than the required job searches, they initially denied my claim because I didn't have the EXACT documentation format they wanted. I had to appeal and it was a nightmare. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING IN EXCRUCIATING DETAIL if you don't want to be screwed over later!!!
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Madison Tipne
•While I understand your frustration, I don't think the system is deliberately designed to trick people. It's just bureaucratic and outdated. The best approach is to use their official UC-304 form which has all the fields they require. That form was specifically created to ensure you're documenting everything correctly. As long as you use that form and keep copies of job application confirmations, you should be well-protected during an audit.
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Aliyah Debovski
Thank you all so much for your help! I feel much better about this now. I'm going to: 1. Continue filling out the UC-304 form each week with all my job applications and work search activities 2. Save confirmation emails and screenshots as proof 3. Upload the completed form to my UC portal documents section 4. Answer "yes" to the work search question during weekly certification 5. Keep all these records for at least 2 years I really appreciate everyone taking the time to explain this to me. The UC system is so confusing when you're new to it!
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Miranda Singer
•That's perfect! You've got the process down exactly right. Don't stress too much - just stay consistent with your documentation and you'll be fine. Best of luck with the job search!
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