PA UC benefits after quitting job due to surgery accommodation denial - will I qualify?

Yes, you absolutely have a case for UC benefits. PA considers this a situation where you had a "necessitous and compelling reason" to quit. Medical necessity is specifically protected under PA UC law. The key is that you made reasonable efforts to preserve your employment (which you clearly did by trying multiple accommodations). Make sure when you file your initial claim that you clearly explain that you quit for medical reasons AND that you attempted to preserve your employment. When they ask for details about your separation, be specific about the timeline of events and your attempts to work with your employer. They will contact your former employer for their side. Upload all your documentation during the application process - those emails and texts will be extremely valuable. The recorded call might be helpful too, though they may or may not consider it. Expect that your employer might contest your claim, which could result in an "open issue" status for a while. Don't panic if this happens - it's normal when there's a dispute about voluntary quits.

I went through something kinda similar last year but it was for a cancer screening not surgery. My boss was being a total jerk about me needing a day off even though i asked 2 months in advance. I ended up quitting and applied for unemployment. It took FOREVER to get approved!!!! My claim had an "open issue" for like 6 weeks while they investigated. My old company tried to fight it saying I quit voluntarily without good cause. I had to have a phone interview with a UC examiner who asked me a bunch of questions about why I quit and what I did to try to keep my job. Make sure you tell them EXACTLY what happened and that your health was at risk. They eventually approved my claim but it was super stressful waiting. Load up all those emails and texts to the PA UC portal when you file!!! That's what saved me.

When you file your claim, make sure you select "medical reasons" as your cause for separation. Then in the detailed explanation box, be extremely specific about the timeline, your attempts to preserve employment, and the exact response from your employer. Use bullet points if needed to make it crystal clear. Important tip: PA UC regularly denies voluntary quits on the first review, almost automatically. Don't panic if this happens. You'll get a determination letter explaining your right to appeal, and many claims are approved during the appeal process once a real person reviews your documentation. One thing to watch for - make sure your doctor can provide documentation that the surgery was medically necessary and couldn't be rescheduled if UC requests it. Sometimes they'll ask for this during the determination process. Also, don't forget to register with PA CareerWorks and complete your work search activities weekly even while your initial claim is pending. You won't be exempt from work search requirements unless your doctor certifies you're unable to work during recovery.

the uc office doesnt care about ur reasons they just deny everyone!!!! i quit my job bc my boss was screaming at me everyday and they said that wasnt a good reason!!! the whole system is rigged nobody ever gets approved for voluntary quits dont get ur hopes up

I spent 3 days calling the PA UC number last month when I had an issue with my claim and couldn't get through at all! Just busy signals or it would hang up on me after being on hold. If you do end up with any issues or need to talk to someone about your claim, I found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 20 minutes. Saved me so much frustration! They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. Their website is claimyr.com - definitely worth it if you're dealing with claim issues and need to actually speak to someone.

Be prepared for what will likely happen: your employer will probably say you quit without cause and you'll get a denial letter. DON'T PANIC! I got denied initially too when I had to quit for health reasons, but I filed an appeal and eventually won. The appeal process takes time (mine took 5 weeks), but as long as you have documentation showing you tried to keep your job while addressing your medical needs, you have a strong case. During the appeal hearing, they'll ask detailed questions about: 1. When you informed your employer about the surgery 2. What alternatives you proposed 3. Why the surgery couldn't be rescheduled 4. Your employer's specific responses Have your timeline EXTREMELY organized before this call. Write down dates and quotes from your conversations. Reference specific emails/texts by date. One thing nobody mentions: while waiting for your appeal, you MUST continue filing your weekly claims! Otherwise, even if you win your appeal, you won't get paid for those weeks.

my sister works for the unemployment office and she says they are SUPER backed up right now with claims!!!! like thousands of cases to review. so even if you have a valid case it might take a really long time. sad but true. the system is broken. good luck!!!

Thank you everyone for the advice! I just submitted my initial claim today and made sure to be extremely detailed about the timeline and my attempts to keep my job. I uploaded 8 different emails showing my requests and my boss's responses, plus the final denial. I'm mentally preparing for a denial and appeal process based on what you've all shared. And I'll definitely keep filing weekly claims no matter what happens with my initial determination. One more question - does anyone know if I need to be physically able to work to qualify for UC benefits? My recovery is expected to be about 6 weeks where I can't do my normal job (retail/standing all day). Will this disqualify me?

Just wanted to add my experience - I had a similar situation last year when I needed emergency gallbladder surgery and my employer wouldn't accommodate the recovery time. I was terrified about applying for UC after quitting, but it worked out. A few tips based on what I learned: - Keep copies of EVERYTHING. I screenshot all my text messages with my supervisor and printed every email. The UC examiner specifically asked about my documentation during the phone interview. - When you file, be very clear that you exhausted all options before quitting. I listed every accommodation I offered (working different shifts, finding coverage, taking unpaid leave, etc.) and how each was rejected. - Don't be discouraged if it takes a while. My claim was in "open issue" status for about 4 weeks while they investigated. The waiting was stressful but I eventually got approved and received all the back pay. The fact that you have everything documented and tried so many alternatives before quitting really strengthens your case. Medical necessity is taken seriously by PA UC, especially when you can prove you made good faith efforts to keep your job. Stay strong - you did everything right in an impossible situation!

I'm going through something really similar right now! Had to quit my job at a warehouse because they wouldn't give me time off for a knee surgery that I've been putting off for months. My supervisor kept saying "we're short-staffed" and "can't you just work through it?" - like seriously?? Reading through all these responses is giving me so much hope. I was terrified I'd automatically get denied for quitting voluntarily. I saved all my text messages where I asked for the time off and where my boss basically told me to choose between my health and my job. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone dealt with an employer who might lie about what happened during the UC investigation? I'm worried my old boss might tell them I never asked for time off or something crazy like that. But I guess that's why having all the documentation is so important, right? Thanks for posting this question @KylieRose - you're helping more people than just yourself! And good luck with your surgery and recovery. You absolutely did the right thing putting your health first.