PA UC benefit year ending with 4 weeks left - no extensions available in 2025?

Unfortunately, the rep is correct. Regular PA UC benefits last for 26 weeks maximum in a benefit year. The extended benefits programs that existed during COVID expired years ago. Once you exhaust your regular UC benefits, there aren't any extensions available in PA as of 2025 unless the state unemployment rate triggers certain federal programs (which it hasn't).

yeah thats how it works now. i ran out last month and theres nothing after. sucks big time. gotta take whatever u can get even if its way less pay.

The PA UC system is designed with the 26-week limit as standard. Extensions only happen during periods of high unemployment when the federal government funds them. Right now, with the official unemployment rate where it is, there aren't any extensions available. I would recommend: 1. Expanding your job search beyond accounting if possible 2. Checking if you qualify for any other assistance programs like SNAP 3. Making sure you're utilizing all PA CareerLink resources for job placement 4. Connecting with your local county assistance office Don't wait until your benefits run out to explore these options!

I was in the same boat last year. Couldn't get through to ask about extensions until my benefits were almost gone. I found out about a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real UC agent in under an hour when I needed to discuss my options. They have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent couldn't extend my benefits, but they did help me understand what other resources were available and made sure I hadn't missed anything. Better than stressing about it without clear answers.

when i exhaused my bennefits, i had to take a job at amazon warehouse even tho im trained as a paralegal. its been almoust a yr now and still looking for somethin in my field. the system is rigged aganst us but u gotta do what u gotta do

The whole PA unemployment system is DESIGNED to push people into poverty wages!! They know exactly what they're doing cutting people off after 26 weeks when the average job search takes WAY longer now. They just want to force desperate people to take garbage jobs so corporations can keep wages low. It's all connected and it's DISGUSTING!!! I went through this last year and ended up having to move in with my parents at 42 years old!!!

One important thing to note: when your benefit year ends, even if you haven't used all 26 weeks, your claim closes. However, if you still have weeks remaining from your maximum 26 weeks of eligibility, you can file a new claim immediately if you still meet the financial eligibility requirements. Make sure you continue to do your work search activities and document them carefully. Even after benefits run out, maintaining this record can be helpful if any new programs become available retroactively (rare but has happened before).

To clarify what was mentioned above: when your benefit year ends in June 2025, you could potentially qualify for a new UC claim if you've worked enough during your current benefit year to meet the financial eligibility requirements. But there's no automatic extension of your current 26 weeks. You would need enough qualifying wages in the base year for a new claim. Sounds like you'll exhaust your 26 weeks in February, and then would need to find work until you potentially qualify for a new claim after June. The key is whether you've worked enough during this current benefit year to establish financial eligibility for a new claim.

My brother just went thru this too! Ended up taking a job at half his previous salary just to keep the lights on. PA used to have State Extended Benefits but they haven't been triggered in years. It really is just the 26 weeks now.