PA UC benefits after STD - will 6 months disability affect my unemployment amount?

I went through something kinda similar last year. Your UC benefit amount is based on your wages during the BASE YEAR, which is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply. So if you apply after your STD ends, they'll look back at your wages before all this happened. Just make sure when u file that u explain the STD situation clearly!! The system gets confused when theres big gaps in employment and might flag your claim.

u cant get unemployment if ur medically unable to work!!! UC requires u be ABLE and AVAILABLE for work. if ur still recovering from injury u dont qualify. STD and UC are totally different programs for different situations

Let me clarify a couple of things about your situation: 1. Your UC benefit rate will be calculated based on your regular wages during the base year, not your STD payments. 2. You should absolutely use the full STD benefit period if you need it medically. It won't negatively impact your future UC claim amount. 3. As others mentioned, you must be able and available for work to qualify for UC. You'll need a doctor's release stating you can work before applying. 4. When your company closes while you're on STD, make sure to get documentation of the layoff. You'll need this to prove you're unemployed due to lack of work, not medical reasons, once you're cleared to work. 5. When you do apply for UC, you'll need to explain the gap in employment was due to medical reasons, but that you're now able to work. Hope this helps!

The system is DESIGNED to confuse us!!! I got screwed when my job laid me off during medical leave last yr and then UC said I wasn't eligible bcuz I "quit"!!! Had to fight for 3 months to get benefits!!!

i think u can get partial benefits while on std if ur making less than ur benefit rate. might be worth looking into

Went thru this exact thing in 2023! Here's my timeline: - Got hurt in January - Company closed in March while I was still on STD - STD ran out in July - Doctor cleared me for work in August - Applied for UC right after getting cleared - Had to do a phone interview to explain the situation - Got approved after 3 weeks My benefit was based on my regular wages before the injury. They use your highest earning quarter in the base year to calculate it. BUT make sure you answer the weekly certification questions correctly!! When they ask if you were able to work, you can only say YES once your doctor has cleared you.

One important thing to consider: if your layoff happens while you're on STD, make sure your employer codes it correctly as a layoff due to business closure, not as a separation due to medical reasons. This makes a big difference for your UC claim. Also, when you're medically cleared and ready to apply for UC, have these documents ready: 1. Letter from employer stating you were laid off due to business closure 2. Doctor's release stating you're able to work (with or without restrictions) 3. Documentation of your STD claim dates Then when you call the UC service center to file (which can take many attempts to get through), clearly explain your situation. The representative will likely need to set up a fact-finding interview to review your case properly.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if your ankle injury leaves you with any permanent work restrictions, make sure to discuss this with your doctor when getting your work release. PA UC allows you to receive benefits while looking for work that accommodates your restrictions, as long as you're able to perform some type of work. Also, since you mentioned this is a factory closure, check if your employer is subject to the WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification). Companies with 100+ employees are required to give 60 days notice of plant closures, and sometimes there are additional benefits or resources available for mass layoffs. Good luck with your recovery and don't stress too much about the UC process - it sounds like you have a legitimate claim once you're medically cleared!

Hey Juan! I just went through a similar situation last year and wanted to share what worked for me. I was on STD when my company had layoffs, and I was really worried about how it would affect my UC benefits. Here's what I learned: definitely use your full STD period if you need it medically - don't rush back to work just because you're worried about UC. The disability payments won't count against your benefit calculation at all. Your UC amount will be based on your regular wages from before the injury. One thing that really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - all my STD paperwork, the company closure notice, doctor visits, etc. When I finally applied for UC after being cleared to work, having all that documentation made the process much smoother. Also, just a heads up - the transition period between STD ending and getting UC approved can be financially tight since there's usually a gap. If possible, try to save a little from your STD payments to help bridge that time. Hope your ankle heals up well and the whole process goes smoothly for you!