PA UC benefit year ending - anyone get approved after 26 weeks with no job?
So I've been collecting unemployment for almost 26 weeks now and just got a notification saying my benefit year is ending soon. The system is telling me I need to file a new claim to see if I qualify for more benefits. I'm honestly freaking out because I STILL haven't found a job despite applying everywhere I can think of. Has anyone gone through this process of filing a new claim after the initial 26 weeks? Did you get approved? What was your experience like? I'm worried they'll just automatically deny me since I've already used up my initial benefits. My savings are almost gone and I don't know what I'll do if I get cut off!
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Amara Oluwaseyi
This is a common situation in PA. When your benefit year ends, you DO need to file a new claim, but whether you get approved depends on if you earned enough wages during your base period. Did you work at all during the past year, even temporarily? Because PA UC requires you to have earned at least 6x your weekly benefit amount in covered employment since the beginning of your previous benefit year to qualify for a new claim.
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Liam McConnell
•I had a part-time job for about 2 months during my benefit year, but it didn't work out. I was making about $250/week while working there. My weekly benefit amount is $380. So that wouldn't be enough earnings, would it? :
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CosmicCaptain
i was in same boat last yr. had to file new claim after 26 wks. got denied bc didnt work enough during benefit year. system is messed up...they want u to find work but then deny u if u don't??
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Giovanni Rossi
•Yep the system is designed that way. After your initial 26 weeks they expect you've either found work or earned enough through part-time work to establish a new claim. It's frustrating but that's how it's set up.
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
When you file your new claim, they'll look at whether you have unused Extended Benefits available too. The whole system is RIDICULOUS to navigate!! I had to call like 50 times when my benefit year ended because the online system wasn't processing my new application correctly. KEEP DETAILED RECORDS of everything you submit!
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Dylan Mitchell
•I've been through this exact nightmare trying to reach PA UC when my benefit year ended. After days of busy signals and getting disconnected, I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a rep. They got me connected in about 20 minutes after I'd wasted 3 days trying on my own. They have a demo video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The rep explained everything about my new application and fixed a system error that was causing me to get denied automatically. Totally worth it when you absolutely need to talk to someone.
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Sofia Gutierrez
To directly answer your question: Yes, people do get approved after the initial 26 weeks, but it depends on your specific situation. Based on what you shared about only working part-time for 2 months (earning about $2,000 total if it was $250/week for 8 weeks), you likely won't qualify for a new regular UC claim since your benefit amount is $380/week, and you'd need 6 times that ($2,280) in new earnings. However, make sure you file the new application anyway because: 1. There might be Extended Benefits available depending on the current unemployment rate 2. The system sometimes makes calculation errors that a representative can correct 3. You need this application on file even if denied to potentially qualify for other assistance programs Also, check if you qualify for any workforce development programs through PA CareerLink while you continue your job search.
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Liam McConnell
•Thank you so much for breaking this down. I'm going to file anyway like you suggested. Do you know if I should wait until my current benefits are completely exhausted, or file the new claim as soon as I get the notification about my benefit year ending?
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Dmitry Petrov
This whole UC system is designed to kick people off as soon as possible!!! I went through this last year and even though I worked a temp job for 3 months during my benefit year they still denied my new claim saying I "didn't earn enough qualifying wages" or some BS like that. Meanwhile my rent went up 20% and groceries cost a fortune. The whole system is rigged against regular people trying to survive!
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Giovanni Rossi
•While it does feel that way sometimes, the system actually requires a certain amount of earnings to qualify for a new benefit year to ensure the program remains an insurance program rather than ongoing support. It's frustrating when you're caught in the gap though. Did you appeal your determination? Sometimes that helps.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
To answer your follow-up question - you should file your new claim as soon as you get the notification about your benefit year ending. Don't wait until your benefits are exhausted. Filing early ensures there's no gap in your payments if you do qualify, and gives you time to explore alternatives if you don't qualify. Also, when filing your new claim, make sure to include ALL employment during your base period, even small gigs or temporary positions. Sometimes even small amounts of income from multiple sources can add up to meet the qualifying wages requirement.
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Liam McConnell
•Thanks for the advice! I'll file as soon as I get the notification. I did have a few small gigs that paid cash - should I include those too? I'm worried about getting in trouble if I didn't report that income on my weekly claims...
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CosmicCaptain
my cousin had this happen and she got denied for new claim but then got approved for some extended thing? not sure what its called but worth asking about
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Sofia Gutierrez
•Your cousin likely qualified for Extended Benefits (EB) which can become available during periods of high unemployment. However, EB is only available when triggered by specific economic conditions in Pennsylvania, and isn't always available. As of 2025, you'd need to check if EB is currently activated in PA. Even if EB isn't available, it's always worth filing the new application to see what options exist.
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Fatima Al-Maktoum
Anyone else notice how the job search requirements got WAY stricter after the pandemic? Like before I only had to apply to like 2 jobs a week and now they want all these "work search activities" and documented contacts!! Making it even HARDER for people to stay on benefits!!
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Giovanni Rossi
•The PA work search requirements actually returned to their pre-pandemic standards. During COVID they waived the requirements completely, but now it's back to normal: applying to 2 jobs and doing 1 work search activity each week. It just feels stricter because we got used to the waived requirements.
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Liam McConnell
OK so I just filed my new claim after my benefit year ended. The system is showing "pending" right now. I'm still so nervous about what's going to happen. I really appreciate everyone's help and advice here. I'll update once I hear something back from UC about whether I'm approved or denied for a new benefit year.
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Amara Oluwaseyi
•Good job filing the claim! The pending status is normal and could take 2-3 weeks to process. In the meantime, I'd recommend intensifying your job search and also looking into PA's Rapid Response services and other support programs. Keep us posted on your determination.
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Dylan Mitchell
When my benefit year ended last month, I had major problems with my new application because the system didn't recognize my employer's business ID correctly. I ended up getting a denial letter with incorrect information. After trying to call for three days straight and never getting through, I found out about claimyr.com from a friend. They connected me to a PA UC agent who fixed everything in one call. My new claim went from denied to approved in 48 hours after they corrected the employer information. Just sharing in case anyone else runs into similar issues.
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Liam McConnell
•Thanks for sharing this! If I get denied I might try that service. Did the agent explain why you were initially denied or was it just a system error with your employer's info?
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