PA UC benefits expired after 26 weeks - can I get 13 week extension in 2025?

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania doesn't currently offer any automatic benefit extensions beyond the regular 26 weeks. The 13-week extension program (Extended Benefits or EB) only triggers when state unemployment is extremely high, and PA isn't in that status right now in 2025. You might want to check if you qualify for a new benefit year if you've worked at all during your claim period. Otherwise, I'd recommend contacting PA CareerLink for job search assistance and checking if you qualify for other support programs like SNAP.

Call them!!! you need to talk to a rep directly about ur options. Thye never tell u the whole story on the website! My cousin got denied online but then got aproved when she talked to someone.

I was in a similar situation last year. The 3 weeks of work you mentioned probably isn't enough to qualify for a new claim - you generally need at least 18 credit weeks in your base year, and the pay has to meet certain minimums. Here's what you can do: 1. Double-check if you might qualify for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) if your job was affected by foreign trade 2. Apply for SNAP benefits at compass.state.pa.us 3. Contact your county assistance office for emergency rental assistance 4. Keep filing your biweekly claims even after you hit zero (sometimes they retroactively approve extensions) For medical coding specifically, have you tried remote positions with companies outside PA? The market's better in some other states.

this exact thing happened to me las month!!! so frustrating!!! the system is totally rigged against us. I worked for NINE YEARS at the same company and they gave me the boot with 2 weeks notice. then the state gives me just 26 weeks and says good luck??? how is that fair???

I tried calling PA UC for weeks about my benefits ending and never got through. Then I found this service called Claimyr that connected me to an agent within 20 minutes. You might want to check it out at claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent told me that while there aren't any automatic extensions right now, there are sometimes special programs they don't advertise widely. It was worth the call just to know my options for sure instead of guessing.

To answer your question about Allegheny County - yes, they do have emergency rental assistance programs. Contact the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. They can sometimes provide one-time emergency assistance even if you don't qualify for ongoing aid. Regarding your work history - the 3 weeks might still help slightly. PA UC calculates your benefit eligibility based on a "base year" (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you file). If you file a new claim now, your base year would include different quarters than your original claim, potentially including those 3 weeks of work.

@OP - After you exhaust your benefits, you should file for a new claim immediately. Even if you don't qualify for a full new benefit year, sometimes they can determine if you're eligible for partial benefits based on your limited work. The key is to continue your weekly job search activities and document everything. Medical coding is actually still in demand, but many employers are being extremely picky right now. One thing that helped me - join the AAPC forums (American Academy of Professional Coders) if you haven't already. They sometimes have job leads that never make it to the public job boards.

did u try amazon? there hiring like crazy in PA right now. not ideal but its somthing until u find coding work again

I just want to correct something - make sure you file your biweekly claims even if your balance is zero. This maintains your claim as active in the system, which is important if: 1) any extension programs are suddenly authorized, or 2) there's an adjustment to your claim for any reason. I've seen people lose out on retroactive benefits because they stopped filing when their balance hit zero. Also, maintaining your active claim status can sometimes make it easier if you need to file a new claim later. As for the Claimyr service mentioned above - I've personally used it when I couldn't get through during my appeal process. It's definitely worth it when you absolutely need to speak with someone.

I went through something similar in 2023. One thing that really helped me was reaching out to local staffing agencies that specialize in healthcare administration - they often have temp-to-perm medical coding positions that don't get posted on the big job boards. Companies like Robert Half and Kelly Services in the Pittsburgh area have healthcare divisions. Also, if you're open to it, consider looking into remote coding positions with companies in other states. Some Florida and Texas healthcare systems are actively hiring remote coders and the pay can be competitive. You might need to get licensed/certified in those states but it could open up more opportunities. For immediate help with rent, definitely call 211 - they can connect you with local rental assistance programs beyond just the county services. Sometimes churches and community organizations have emergency funds too. Hang in there - the medical coding field is still growing, it's just a tough market right now with so many experienced coders competing for the same positions.

Hey Malik, I'm actually a former PA UC claims examiner and wanted to add some insider info that might help. That 3-week temp job could potentially qualify you for a new benefit year if it was recent enough and your wages met the minimum threshold (around $116/week). The key is timing - you'd want to file the new claim right after your current benefit year ends. One thing most people don't know is that PA sometimes has "emergency" or "disaster-related" extended benefits that aren't widely publicized. These are rare but worth asking about when you call. Also, if your original job loss was due to company restructuring, downsizing, or plant closure, you might qualify for additional workforce development programs through PA CareerLink that include income support. For medical coding specifically, I'd suggest looking into remote positions with insurance companies like Highmark, Independence Blue Cross, or Aetna - they're constantly hiring coders and often provide additional training. The pay is usually better than hospital coding too. Keep your chin up - the system is frustrating but there are sometimes options that aren't obvious at first glance.

I'm going through something very similar right now - my benefits just expired last week after the full 26 weeks and I'm scrambling to figure out next steps. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! I had no idea about continuing to file biweekly claims even with a zero balance, or about some of the local resources mentioned. @Sebastian Scott - your insider perspective is amazing. I'm definitely going to ask about those workforce development programs since my job loss was also due to company restructuring. For anyone else in this situation, I found that some local food banks also have emergency assistance funds for utilities and rent - might be worth calling around to see what's available in your area. The United Way website has a good directory of local resources too. Malik, I hope some of these suggestions work out for you. This whole situation is so stressful but it sounds like you have some solid leads to follow up on now. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - check if your local library has free career counseling services. Many PA libraries partner with CareerLink to offer resume review, interview prep, and job search assistance. The Carnegie Library system in Pittsburgh has some great programs, and they also provide free computer and internet access if you need it for job applications. Also, for medical coding specifically, consider reaching out to local hospitals directly even if they don't have posted openings. Many facilities use contract coders during busy periods or when regular staff are out, and they might keep your resume on file for future opportunities. UPMC and Allegheny Health Network both use a lot of contract coding work. One more thing - if you're struggling with rent, contact your landlord directly and explain the situation. Many are willing to work out payment plans, especially if you can show you're actively job searching and have applied for assistance. It's better to be proactive than wait until you're already behind.