Do PA UC claimants on seasonal layoff with return date need to register with PA CareerLink?
My husband got laid off from his construction job last week (seasonal layoff) and his boss already told him he'll be back to work in April. When filing for UC, the system said something about registering with PA CareerLink within 30 days? Do we really need to do this if he already has a definite return-to-work date? His coworker said they didn't have to do this last year because they're considered 'job attached' or something. I don't want him to mess up his claim but also seems pointless to job search when he's definitely going back in April. Anyone deal with this recently? The PA UC website is so confusing about this!
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Ava Thompson
Yes, he still needs to register with PA CareerLink even with a return date. The law changed in 2022 and now ALL UC claimants must register within 30 days of filing their initial claim, even those with a return-to-work date. However, he may be exempt from the weekly work search requirements if he has a definite recall date within 12 weeks. Make sure he indicates his return-to-work date when filing and answers the questions about having a definite return date correctly. But he MUST register with CareerLink regardless - it's a separate requirement.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thanks for clarifying! So he needs to register on CareerLink but might not have to do the weekly job searches? I'll make sure he registers this week then. Do you know what happens if he forgets to do this? Would they stop his payments?
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Miguel Herrera
ur friend is wrong!!! my husband got DENIED last year cuz he didnt register with careerlink even tho he had return date!! they dont care if u have job to go back to, still gotta register its so stupid but do it!!!
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Zainab Ali
•This happened to my brother too! They denied his claim and he had to appeal and it was such a headache. Just do the CareerLink registration, takes like 15 min tops.
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Connor Murphy
To add to what others have said, there are actually two separate requirements: 1. PA CareerLink registration - EVERYONE must do this within 30 days of filing, no exceptions 2. Weekly work search - Your husband may be exempt from this if he has employer documentation of a recall date within 12 weeks Make sure he uploads any documentation from his employer about the return date to his dashboard. And definitely don't skip the CareerLink registration - I've seen many seasonal workers get claims denied for missing this step.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•That makes so much sense now, thank you! His boss gave him a letter with the April return date, so I'll make sure he uploads that. Going to help him register on CareerLink tonight so we don't forget.
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Yara Nassar
Has anyone called and actually TALKED to a rep about this? The website says one thing but then they tell you something else when you call. So confusing.
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StarGazer101
•I tried calling PA UC last month about a similar question and spent 3 hours getting busy signals. Ended up using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through - they got me connected to a UC agent in about 20 minutes. There's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent confirmed what others said here - everyone must register with CareerLink regardless of return-to-work status, but the work search requirements can be waived with proper documentation of a recall date within 12 weeks. Worth calling to confirm your specific situation.
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Keisha Jackson
THE PA UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM IS A JOKE!! They change the rules every year and don't tell anyone!!! I work seasonal landscaping and its different requirements EVERY SINGLE TIME. And just wait til he tries to reopen his claim next winter - whole new set of problems!!
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Miguel Herrera
•omg yes!!! my husband deals with this every winter with his roofing job. last year they made him do 3 job interviews even tho he had return date!!! makes no sense
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Zainab Ali
One thing no one mentioned - make sure your husband completes the FULL CareerLink registration process. It's not just creating an account, you have to finish the whole profile with resume info and everything. I thought I was registered but then got a warning letter saying I didn't complete all the steps.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Oh wow, thank you for mentioning this! I'll make sure he goes through every step. This whole process is so needlessly complicated.
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Connor Murphy
Just to follow up - the specific regulation about this is that claimants with a return-to-work date need to: 1. Register with PA CareerLink within 30 days (no exceptions) 2. Provide documentation of return date from employer 3. Return date must be within 12 weeks 4. You still need to file your bi-weekly claims 5. Answer "YES" to the question about having a return-to-work date If all these conditions are met, the work search requirements should be waived. But the system is buggy, so it's good practice to call and confirm everything is noted in your husband's file.
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Thank you so much! This is so helpful. He has his BiWeekly claim coming up this Sunday so I'll make sure he answers correctly about having a return date. And we'll get that CareerLink registration done today just to be safe.
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Miguel Herrera
btw tell ur husband dont forget to do income taxes on unemployment money!!! they dont take enough out and we got hit with big tax bill last year!!
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Dmitry Ivanov
•Oh good point! I think he selected to have taxes withheld but I'll double check. Thanks for the reminder!
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