PA UC Extended Benefits after exhausting 26 weeks - Are they still available in 2025?

Unfortunately, your friend is correct. Extended Benefits (EB) are NOT currently available in Pennsylvania. EB only trigger on when Pennsylvania's unemployment rate reaches certain thresholds, and we're not at those levels right now in 2025. Once your regular 26 weeks of UC runs out, that's it - there are no automatic extensions unless Congress creates new emergency programs (which they haven't). You should receive a notice called a 'Financial Determination' that will specifically tell you your maximum benefit entitlement and how many weeks you're eligible for. Double-check that document to confirm your weeks.

THE SYSTEM IS COMPLETLEY BROKEN!! I went thru this last winter and was told the EXACT SAME LIES about "extended benefits" only to find out they've been gone for YEARS. UC staff dont even update their own info!!!! I called 57 TIMES before getting through just to be told "sorry nothing we can do" - the whole thing is designed to LOOK like they help but actually leave you hanging right when you need it most.

Here's the accurate information about UC extensions in PA right now: 1. Regular UC: 26 weeks maximum 2. Extended Benefits (EB): Currently NOT available in PA 3. Federal extensions: None currently authorized What you should do now: - Intensify your job search efforts before benefits end - Contact CareerLink for job search assistance - Check if you qualify for other assistance programs (SNAP, etc.) - If you have worked other jobs during your base year that weren't counted, you might be able to file a new claim after this one ends, but there are specific eligibility requirements Unfortunately, many people hear outdated information about extensions because during COVID there were multiple extension programs available.

I had trouble reaching someone at PA UC to explain all this to me when my benefits were about to run out last month. After getting busy signals for days, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent within 25 minutes. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent confirmed everything that @helpful_advisor said above - no EB in PA currently, once your 26 weeks are up, that's it. At least I didn't waste time waiting for something that wasn't coming.

It's totally legit. I was skeptical too but it worked exactly as advertised. The UC rep I spoke with explained there aren't any extensions right now, but she did help me understand I might qualify for SNAP benefits and gave me info about job training programs through CareerLink that I didn't know about.

To answer your question about whether to keep filing weekly claims after benefits exhaust - no, you don't need to continue filing once you've received all 26 weeks. The system will show you've exhausted benefits and won't accept additional weekly certifications. However, if your benefit year is still active and you haven't used all 26 weeks, but your balance shows $0 due to a calculation issue, then yes, continue filing. This sometimes happens if there was an adjustment or overpayment on your claim.

my brother works for pa unemployment and he told me they might be turning on extended benefits soon because of the factory closings in Erie and Allentown but its not official yet so don't count on it

when my benefits ran out last year i just applied for doordash and amazon flex to fill the gap its not great money but better than nothing while u keep looking for a real job

I'm in a similar situation - just hit week 22 and starting to panic about what happens next. This thread has been really helpful but also scary to learn there really aren't any extensions right now. Has anyone had luck with the job training programs through CareerLink that were mentioned? I'm wondering if there's any financial assistance available while doing training, or if it's just unpaid programs. Also, for those who've been through this before, how long did it typically take to find work after benefits ended? Trying to figure out if I should start looking into food banks and other emergency assistance now or if I might be okay.

I just wanted to add something that might help - if you're getting close to exhausting your benefits, make sure you request your wage and benefit statement from PA UC online. This document shows exactly how your benefit year was calculated and confirms your maximum weeks available. Sometimes there can be small errors or additional quarters of wages that weren't initially counted that could give you a few extra weeks. Also, once your benefit year ends (which is different from exhausting your 26 weeks), you may be able to file a new claim if you've worked enough in recent quarters. The key is having sufficient wages in your new base period. It's worth checking with UC about this possibility, especially if you've done any part-time or gig work during your unemployment. Don't give up hope - I know several people who found jobs in their final weeks of benefits. Sometimes that deadline pressure actually helps motivate both you and potential employers to move faster in the hiring process.

I actually went through a wage calculation review last year and it did result in additional weeks! In my case, I had worked for a company that went out of business and initially PA UC couldn't verify those wages. After submitting my W-2 and pay stubs, they added about $3,200 in wages that increased my weekly benefit amount slightly and gave me 3 additional weeks. To explain the benefit year vs. weeks exhausted - your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first filed your claim. You can receive a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits during that year. So if you filed your claim in January 2025, your benefit year runs until January 2026, but you'll exhaust your 26 weeks sometime around July 2025. After July, you can't collect more benefits until your benefit year ends in January 2026, at which point you could potentially file a new claim if you've earned enough wages. The wage calculation errors aren't super common, but they do happen - especially if you had multiple employers, worked for small businesses, or had any 1099 income that should have been W-2 income. It's definitely worth requesting that statement and reviewing it carefully. The worst they can say is no.