PA UC benefit year ending but still have 7 weeks of benefits left - what happens now?

ur benefit yr is just the period u can claim ur benefits. once it ends, u cant claim anymore even if u have weeks left. sux but thats how PA does it

The previous comment isn't entirely accurate. When your benefit year ends, you cannot continue claiming on that same claim, even if you have weeks remaining. However, if you're still unemployed, you can file a new UC application to establish a new benefit year. The catch is that you need to have worked and earned qualifying wages since the beginning of your current benefit year to be eligible for a new claim. If you haven't worked since starting your current claim, you likely won't qualify for a new one immediately.

OMG I went through this EXACT thing last year!!! My benefit year ended in March and I still had like 5 weeks left and they just DISAPPEARED!! I called and called and kept getting busy signals but when I finally got through they told me I had to file a new claim because my "benefit year" was over. The system is so STUPID that they give you weeks and then take them away. I had to start a whole new claim and the weekly amount was less because I only had part time work between claims.

To clarify some information here: Your benefit year is the 52-week period during which you can claim your UC benefits. Once your benefit year ends, any unused benefits do expire, regardless of how many weeks remain. If you're still unemployed when your benefit year ends, you should file a new application immediately. Since you mentioned working for 6 weeks at a temp job, you may qualify for a new claim, but your weekly benefit amount (WBA) will be calculated based on your base year wages for the new claim. This could be lower than your current WBA if the temp job paid less than your previous employment. I recommend filing your new claim during the week your current benefit year ends. This avoids any gap in payments if you qualify. You can file online through your PA UC dashboard or by phone.

I had the same problem trying to call PA unemployment about my benefit year ending. I kept getting busy signals for DAYS and couldn't get through to ask what would happen with my remaining benefits. I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a UC rep in about 15 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The UC agent was able to explain exactly what I needed to do for my situation and when to file my new claim. Saved me from a lot of stress wondering what would happen.

my cousin had this same thing happen and he applied for a new claim but then they said he didnt have enough work history for a new claim even tho he worked like 2 months between claims. something about the quarters they look at for the base period being weird. he had to wait like 4 more months until those wages counted for his base period. the whole system is so confusing

You can file your new claim up to two weeks before your benefit year end date. The system will process it to begin right after your current benefit year ends. This is actually the recommended approach to minimize gaps in payment. Regarding your base period for the new claim: Pennsylvania looks at the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. So depending on when exactly you worked those 6 weeks, they may or may not fall within the base period of your new claim. If you're concerned, you might want to speak with a UC representative to determine if your temp work will qualify for a new claim or if you might need to wait until those wages fall within a qualifying base period.

One more thing to keep in mind: When you file your new claim, make sure to report all employment since the beginning of your current claim. The system will prompt you for this information. Accuracy is important as they will cross-check with employer tax records. Also, be prepared that your new claim may have an "open issue" period while they verify your employment history. This is standard procedure for new claims where there was partial employment during the previous benefit year. Keep filing your weekly certifications even if payments are temporarily delayed during this verification process.