PA UC benefits exhausted then fired after returning to work - can I file again immediately?

This question comes up a lot! If you exhaust benefits and then return to work, the key is how long you work before getting laid off again. In PA, you need to earn 6x your weekly benefit rate AND work at least 6 weeks to reestablish eligibility during the same benefit year. If you're in a new benefit year (12+ months from when you first applied), you can file a new claim immediately regardless. But beware - your new weekly benefit amount might be much lower depending on what you earn at this new job.

i went thru this exact thing last yr got laid off worked 2 months at amazon then they cut my job and i had to reapply. they made me wait til my benfit year ended which was like 2 more months it SUCKED so bad

You didn't mention when your benefit year ends. That's SUPER important info for your situation. If you have 1-2 weeks left of benefits but your benefit year ends in like 9 months, that's one thing. But if your benefit year ends soon, you could just file a new claim right after that date if you get laid off from the new job. I would DEFINITELY take that job though - even unstable work looks better than gaps when applying for your next position!

To clarify some misinformation above: In PA, you need to earn 6x your weekly benefit rate AND work at least 18 DAYS (not 6 weeks) to requalify in the same benefit year after exhausting benefits. This falls under what's called the "requalification" rules. Also, earnings are GROSS (before taxes). If you're making $20/hr at your new job working full-time, you'll hit the earnings requirement in about 3-4 weeks. BUT if your benefit year ends before you get laid off from the new job, you'll file a completely new claim based on your most recent 18 months of earnings.

when i got layed off after going back to work they told me i had to work 6x my weekly benfit. but the lady on the phone said diffrent thing than whats on there website. PA UC system is soooo messy

Anybody here know if OP has to do the work search requirements for these last 2 weeks since they have an interview already? Always confused about that part of PA UC.

Thanks everyone for the info! I'm going to take the job if offered and hope for the best. From what I understand now: 1. If I get laid off before my benefit year ends in November, I'll need to have worked at least 18 days AND earned about $3,000 (6x my WBR) to requalify 2. If I get laid off after my benefit year ends, I'll file a completely new claim 3. I should keep doing my work search activities until I actually start the new job Fingers crossed the new job works out and is stable! If not, at least I have a better understanding of what happens next.

Best of luck with your interview tomorrow! Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you do get the job and are worried about the company's stability, try to document everything (offer letter, start date, any communications about layoffs, etc.). If you do get laid off later, having clear documentation of your employment dates and earnings will make the UC process much smoother. Also, even if the company seems unstable, getting back into the workforce after a period of unemployment always looks good on your resume for future opportunities. You've got this!

Just wanted to add something that might help with your decision - even if this company has had layoffs, working there for 6-8 weeks could actually put you in a better position than staying on UC until it runs out completely. Here's why: if you work those 6-8 weeks and earn decent money, you'll have recent work history that helps with future job applications. Plus, if you do meet the requalification requirements (18 days + 6x your WBR), you'll potentially have UC as a backup. But if you just let your current benefits run out without working, you'll have no income AND no recent work experience. Sometimes taking a "risky" job is still the better move than no job at all. The fact that the recruiter was honest about the company's issues is actually a good sign - at least you know what you're getting into!

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you do get this job and it doesn't work out, consider asking about severance or WARN Act notice if they do layoffs. Companies with a history of layoffs sometimes offer severance packages, and if they're laying off 50+ people, they're required to give 60 days notice under federal WARN Act (or 90 days in PA for larger layoffs). This could buy you time to job search while still employed or give you a financial cushion. Also, even if the company seems unstable, use the time there to network with coworkers - they might know about opportunities at other companies when things go south. Sometimes the connections you make at a "bad" job end up being more valuable than the job itself!

Good luck with your interview tomorrow! One thing I wanted to mention that might ease your mind a bit - even if this company has had layoffs, you're actually in a pretty good position knowledge-wise going in. Most people get blindsided by layoffs, but you already know the company's history and can plan accordingly. If you do get the job, I'd suggest treating it as a bridge opportunity - keep your resume updated, maintain your professional network, and maybe even continue some light job searching just in case. That way if something does happen, you're not starting from scratch. Plus, having ANY job right now is better than explaining a long gap in employment to future employers. The fact that you're thinking strategically about this shows you'll handle whatever comes next!