Do I get paid remaining PA UC benefits if I accept a new job offer?
I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now after my position was eliminated at my previous company. I've got a promising job interview tomorrow and they seemed really interested during the phone screening. If they offer me the job (fingers crossed!), what happens to my remaining unemployment benefits? I think I'm approved for like 26 weeks total, so would I get paid out the difference or does it just stop when I start working? Never been in this situation before and trying to plan my finances. Also, if I accept but don't start for 2-3 weeks, can I still claim until my actual start date?
41 comments


Ethan Moore
You don't get a lump sum payout of remaining benefits. UC benefits end when you start working full-time. You report your new job on your weekly certification, and benefits stop. The good news is your claim stays open for one year (your benefit year), so if the new job doesn't work out within that year, you can resume collecting the remaining benefits without filing a new claim. You CAN continue claiming until your actual start date, just be sure to report any part-time hours or paid training if that happens before your official start.
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Aisha Ali
•Thanks! That makes sense. So I'll be able to claim until my actual first day of work. Do I need to call them to let them know I found a job, or just report it on my weekly certification?
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Yuki Nakamura
congrats on the possibly new job!! the economy SUCKS right now in PA. when i got hired last year i just stopped filing once i started. no need to tell anyone anything extra
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StarSurfer
•This is incorrect. You should always report when you've found employment on your weekly certification. Failing to properly report employment can result in an overpayment determination later, which might require you to pay back benefits plus interest. PA UC actively cross-checks employment records.
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Carmen Reyes
When I got new work I still got benefits for that weird time between accepting and starting. Make SURE you report your start date correctly and any orientation/training hours if they pay u for those. My buddy got hit with an overpayment notice 6 months later cuz he messed up his dates and PA UC is a nightmare to deal with once they think u owe them $$$$
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Andre Moreau
•This happened to me too!!! Somehow they thought I started 2 weeks before I actually did and now I'm dealing with a $780 overpayment notice. I've been trying to call for THREE WEEKS and can't get through to anyone at PA UC. The system is totally broken. I leave messages but no one calls back!!!
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Ethan Moore
To clarify for everyone - you need to report when you ACCEPT a job offer, but you can still collect benefits until your actual start date as long as you're not being paid. Once you start getting paychecks (even for training), your benefits will stop. And no, there's no "cashing out" of remaining benefits - they just stay in your balance in case you need them again during your benefit year.
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Aisha Ali
•That's super helpful, thank you! I've been stressing about this transition period. I'll be honest on my certification when I accept the offer. Hoping I get it! By the way, what happens if it's part-time? My previous job was full-time, but this one might start me at 30 hours.
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Zoe Christodoulou
If you're having trouble getting through to PA UC agents to ask about your specific situation, I found a service called Claimyr that actually connects you with a live person at the unemployment office. I was dealing with a similar transition situation and needed answers fast. It worked for me after weeks of busy signals - just go to claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2
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Aisha Ali
•Thanks, I might need this if I have questions once I get the offer. I'm hoping it'll be straightforward but unemployment stuff never seems to be easy!
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Andre Moreau
THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED AGAINST US!!! They set up all these stupid rules hoping you'll make a mistake so they can charge you with fraud later! My cousin lost her benefits AND got fined because she didn't report a one-day training session before her job officially started! ONE DAY!! And now they want $2400 back! RIDICULOUS!! Be EXTREMELY careful with dates and report EVERYTHING!!!
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Ethan Moore
•While I understand your frustration, it's not about the system being rigged. It's about making sure people don't collect benefits when they're earning wages - even for training. Your cousin should file an appeal if it was truly a misunderstanding. PA UC has reasonable waiver provisions for non-fault overpayments.
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Jamal Thompson
Does anyone know if accepting a job in a different state affects PA benefits differently? My sister might be moving to Ohio for work but is currently on PA unemployment.
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Carmen Reyes
•Not really related to OP's question but whatever. She keeps her PA benefits until she starts the new job, doesn't matter what state it's in. She just files until her last week of unemployment.
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StarSurfer
For part-time work scenarios: If you get the job but it's fewer hours than your previous position, you may still qualify for partial benefits. You'll need to report your part-time earnings each week. PA UC uses a formula: If you earn less than 30% of your weekly benefit amount, you'll receive your full benefit. If you earn more than that, they'll reduce your benefit accordingly. If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount plus 40%, you'll receive no benefit for that week. This is called the Partial Benefit Credit system.
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Aisha Ali
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! I didn't even know partial benefits were a thing. My weekly benefit is $580, so if I understand correctly, I could earn up to $174 (30% of $580) and still get my full benefit? And I'd get something until I earn more than $812 ($580 + 40%)? That's really helpful to know.
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Yuki Nakamura
lol everyone overthinking this. just stop filing when u start working. done.
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Ethan Moore
•Please don't spread misinformation. You need to properly report when you accept a job and any earnings, even before your official start date. Incorrect reporting can result in overpayment notices and potential penalties.
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Aisha Ali
UPDATE: I GOT THE JOB! They just called with an offer! Full-time, starting in two weeks. Thanks everyone for the help - I'm going to report that I accepted the job on my next certification but continue claiming until my actual start date. Really appreciate all the advice!
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ElectricDreamer
Congratulations on the new job! That's fantastic news! You're handling this exactly right - report the job acceptance on your next certification and continue filing until your actual start date. Make sure to keep documentation of your start date in case PA UC ever needs verification later. Best of luck with the new position!
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Klaus Schmidt
Congratulations on landing the job! That's awesome news, especially with how tough the job market has been lately. You're definitely doing the right thing by reporting the job acceptance on your certification and continuing to file until your actual start date. Just make sure to save a copy of your job offer letter or any documentation with your official start date - I learned the hard way that PA UC sometimes asks for proof later on. Wishing you all the best in your new role!
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Dominique Adams
•Congrats Aisha! That's such great news! I'm so happy for you - 8 weeks of job searching can feel like forever. You've gotten really solid advice here and it sounds like you're handling everything perfectly. Definitely keep that offer letter handy like Klaus mentioned - I've heard PA UC can be pretty thorough with their record checks. Hope your first day goes amazing! 🎉
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Connor Rupert
Congratulations Aisha! That's such exciting news! 🎉 You've been getting excellent advice throughout this thread. Just wanted to add one more tip - when you do your final certification for the week you start working, make sure to report your exact start date and any hours worked that week (even if it's just one day). PA UC will prorate your benefits for that final week based on when you actually started. Keep all your paperwork organized and you should be golden. Best of luck in your new position!
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Miguel Castro
•That's really helpful about the prorated benefits for the final week! I hadn't thought about that detail. I'm definitely going to keep all my documentation organized - seems like PA UC can be pretty strict about record keeping. Thanks everyone for being so supportive and helpful during this whole process. This community has been amazing! I'll try to pay it forward when I see other people with similar questions.
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Natasha Petrov
Congratulations on the new job offer! That's wonderful news after 8 weeks of searching. You're absolutely doing everything right - report the job acceptance on your weekly certification and keep filing until your actual start date. One thing I'd add is to screenshot or print your certifications showing you reported the job acceptance, just in case there are any questions later. PA UC's system can sometimes have glitches and having your own records helps. Also, don't stress too much about the transition - most people go through this same process when they find new work while on unemployment. You've got this!
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Kaiya Rivera
•That's such great advice about screenshotting the certifications! I never would have thought of that but it makes total sense given all the stories about PA UC system glitches. Congratulations again Aisha - you really deserve this after such a long search! It's so encouraging to see someone land a job in this tough market. Your experience and all the advice shared here will definitely help other people going through the same situation. Best wishes for your new adventure!
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Ethan Wilson
Congratulations Aisha! This is such wonderful news! 🎉 It sounds like you've got a really solid plan and everyone here has given you excellent advice. I just wanted to add one small tip from my own experience - when you do start your new job, make sure to keep your login credentials for the PA UC system handy even after you stop filing. If for any reason things don't work out with the new position within your benefit year, you can potentially reopen your claim without having to go through the whole application process again. It's just good to have that safety net info accessible. Wishing you all the success in your new role - you've handled this whole transition like a pro!
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Noah Ali
•That's really smart advice about keeping the login info accessible! I hadn't considered that I might need to reopen my claim if things don't work out. It's reassuring to know that's even an option within the benefit year. Everyone here has been so incredibly helpful - I feel much more confident about navigating this transition now. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and knowledge. Hopefully I won't need to use that backup plan, but it's definitely good to know! 😊
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Mateo Sanchez
Congratulations Aisha! That's fantastic news about getting the job offer! 🎉 You're handling this perfectly by reporting the acceptance and continuing to file until your start date. Just wanted to share from my own experience - make sure you're crystal clear about your exact start date when you report it. I had a similar situation last year where there was some confusion between my "offer acceptance date" and "first day of work" and it caused a minor headache with PA UC later. They really want to know the specific date you'll start receiving paychecks, not just when you accepted. Also, if they have you do any paid orientation or training before your official start date, that counts as work too! Sounds like you've got great advice from everyone here though. Best of luck with the new position!
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Zara Khan
•That's a really important distinction about the start date vs. acceptance date! I'll make sure to be super clear about when I actually begin receiving paychecks versus just when I accepted the offer. Thankfully my new employer was very specific - my first official day is March 10th with no paid training or orientation beforehand, so that should be straightforward to report. I really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and helping me avoid potential pitfalls. This whole thread has been incredibly educational!
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Mia Alvarez
Congratulations Aisha! This is such amazing news! 🎉 You've been getting fantastic advice throughout this whole thread. I just wanted to add that if you haven't already, make sure to ask your new employer for an official start date in writing (email is fine) so you have documentation showing exactly when your employment begins. PA UC sometimes requests proof of employment start dates during audits or reviews, and having that email or letter makes everything much smoother. Also, don't forget to celebrate this win - finding a job after 8 weeks of searching in this market is no small feat! You should be really proud of yourself. Wishing you all the best in your new role!
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Katherine Ziminski
•That's excellent advice about getting the start date in writing! I hadn't thought about PA UC potentially auditing or reviewing employment records later, but it makes total sense that they'd want documentation. I'll definitely ask my new employer to confirm the March 10th start date via email - better to be over-prepared than caught off guard later. And thank you so much for the encouragement! It really has been a long 8 weeks and this community has been such a lifeline throughout the whole process. I'm definitely going to celebrate this weekend! 🎉
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Skylar Neal
Congratulations on landing the job! That's such wonderful news after 8 weeks of searching! 🎉 You're absolutely handling this the right way - report the job acceptance on your weekly certification and continue filing until your actual start date. I went through this exact same situation last year and it worked out smoothly when I followed the proper reporting procedures. One small tip from my experience: when you report accepting the job, be very specific about your actual start date (not just when you accepted the offer) since that's when your benefits will stop. Also, keep a screenshot of your certification showing you reported the job - it's always good to have your own records just in case. Best of luck with your new position!
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Emma Davis
•Congratulations Aisha! This is such exciting news! 🎉 I'm new to this community but have been following your situation and I'm so happy it worked out for you. Your experience has been really educational for someone like me who's never dealt with unemployment benefits before. The advice about screenshotting your certifications is really smart - it seems like having your own documentation is super important with PA UC. Thanks for sharing your journey and congratulations again on the new job! Hope your first day goes amazing!
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Noah Torres
Congratulations Aisha! This is absolutely wonderful news! 🎉 After following your story and seeing how stressed you were about the transition, I'm so happy you got the job! You've received incredible advice from everyone here and it's clear you're handling everything perfectly. Just wanted to add my congratulations to the pile and say how inspiring it is to see someone land a position after a thorough job search. The way this community came together to help you navigate the PA UC system really shows what a supportive group this is. Wishing you all the best as you start this new chapter - you've got this!
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Benjamin Kim
•Congratulations Aisha! I'm so thrilled for you! 🎉 As someone who's new to both unemployment benefits and this community, reading through your whole journey has been incredibly helpful and inspiring. It's amazing to see how supportive everyone has been and how much valuable knowledge gets shared here. Your success story gives me hope that things will work out for others who are in similar situations. Best of luck with your new job - you clearly did everything right and deserve this win! Thanks for keeping us updated throughout the process!
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Nia Watson
Congratulations Aisha! This is such fantastic news! 🎉 I'm relatively new to this community but have been quietly following your journey over the past few weeks, and I'm absolutely thrilled that you landed the job! Your experience has been so educational for someone like me who's never had to navigate the unemployment system before. It's incredible to see how this community rallied around you with such detailed, helpful advice. You've handled everything with such professionalism and thoroughness - from asking the right questions to following up with updates. Your success story gives me (and probably many others lurking here) real hope that things can work out even in this tough job market. Wishing you all the best as you start this exciting new chapter - you absolutely deserve this win after 8 weeks of dedicated searching!
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Freya Christensen
•Thank you so much Nia! Your kind words really mean a lot to me! 🥺 It's been such a rollercoaster these past 8 weeks, but this community has been absolutely incredible throughout the whole journey. Everyone here shared such valuable insights and really helped calm my nerves about navigating the PA UC system during this transition. I'm so grateful for all the support and detailed advice - it made what could have been a really stressful situation so much more manageable. I hope my experience can help others who find themselves in similar situations. This community is truly special and I'm so glad I found it when I needed it most! Here's to new beginnings! 🎉
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Miranda Singer
Congratulations Aisha! This is such amazing news! 🎉 I've been quietly following your journey and I'm so excited that everything worked out for you. Your story has been incredibly helpful for those of us who might face similar situations in the future. The way you handled everything - from asking thoughtful questions to staying on top of the reporting requirements - really shows how to navigate this process the right way. It's also wonderful to see how supportive and knowledgeable this community is. Everyone's advice about proper reporting, keeping documentation, and understanding the nuances of PA UC has been educational for all of us. Best of luck with your new position - after 8 weeks of searching, you definitely deserve this success! Thanks for keeping us updated throughout your journey.
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NeonNova
•Congratulations Aisha! I'm so happy for you! 🎉 As someone who's brand new to this community, I've been reading through this entire thread and it's been such an educational journey. Your experience really highlights how important it is to ask the right questions and get proper guidance when dealing with PA UC. The support you've received here is incredible - everyone shared such detailed, practical advice about reporting requirements, documentation, and navigating the system correctly. It gives me confidence that if I ever find myself in a similar situation, this community will be here to help. Your success after 8 weeks of searching is truly inspiring, especially in today's job market. Thank you for sharing your whole experience with us and congratulations again on the new position!
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Lucas Bey
Congratulations Aisha! This is absolutely wonderful news! 🎉 I'm so excited for you - landing a job after 8 weeks of searching is such an accomplishment, especially in today's challenging market. You've been handling this entire situation so professionally and it's clear you're going to do great in your new role. The advice you've received here about reporting the job acceptance on your weekly certification while continuing to file until your actual start date is spot on. This community really came together to help you navigate the PA UC system, and your experience will definitely help others who find themselves in similar transitions. Make sure to celebrate this win - you've earned it! Best of luck on your first day and in your new position!
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