PA UC benefits timing confusion - Do we get paid for full 26 weeks after the waiting week?
Hey everyone, I'm trying to understand how the PA UC benefit weeks actually work. So there's that first week that's the 'waiting week' and doesn't get paid, right? Does that mean I'll actually get payments for 26 weeks AFTER that first unpaid week (so weeks 2-27)? Or does the waiting week count as one of my 26 weeks (meaning I'd only get paid for weeks 2-26)? My benefit year just started and I want to budget correctly for exactly how many payments I'll receive. Thanks for any help!
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Giovanni Rossi
the waiting week counts as 1 of ur 26 weeks. u only get paid for 25 weeks total.
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Amara Adebayo
•Wait, seriously? So I'm losing a full week of benefits? That seems unfair...
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Fatima Al-Mansour
The previous response isn't correct. In Pennsylvania, you're eligible for up to 26 weeks of full benefits. The waiting week counts as week 1 of your claim, but you don't receive payment for it. You then receive payments for weeks 2-26, for a total of 25 payments. So yes, you effectively get paid for 25 weeks out of the 26-week maximum benefit period.
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Dylan Evans
•This is right! I just finished my benefit year and got exactly 25 payments after the waiting week. It's definitely not 27 weeks total.
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Sofia Gomez
I HATE how PA makes this so confusing!!! When I filed back in January this year, the handbook said one thing but the rep told me something completely different. And then when I called to ask about it I was on hold for 3 HOURS only to get disconnected!!! The system is designed to frustrate us into giving up!!!
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StormChaser
•If you're having trouble reaching a representative, you might want to try Claimyr. I was struggling with the same issue last month - constant busy signals and disconnections. Claimyr helped me connect with a PA UC agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Made a huge difference for me when I needed clarification about my benefit weeks.
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Dmitry Petrov
My cousin just went through this last month. PA UC gives you 26 weeks MAXIMUM including the waiting week. So thats 25 actual payments. But remember you dont always get all 26 weeks if you find a job before then (which is good!) or if you have some disqualification weeks (which is bad lol).
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Amara Adebayo
•Thanks, that makes sense. I was hoping we'd get the full 26 payments plus that waiting week, but I guess not. Appreciate everyone's help clarifying!
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Ava Williams
when i filed last yr they messed up my claim so bad i had to wait 8 weeks for my first payment not just the normal waiting week!! make sure u do all ur weekly claims even during the waiting week period or theyll mess up ur whole claim!!!
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•This is an important point - you MUST file your weekly certification during the waiting week even though you won't get paid for it. If you skip certifying for that week, it can cause problems with your entire claim going forward.
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Dylan Evans
One thing no one mentioned is that the 26 weeks don't have to be consecutive! If you work part-time some weeks and don't claim benefits, those weeks don't count toward your 26-week maximum. My benefit year just ended and I stretched my benefits to almost 10 months by working odd jobs here and there.
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Giovanni Rossi
•yep thats what i did 2. worked 3 days a week sometimes and still got partial benefits. helped me stretch it out way longer
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Logan Scott
Just wanted to add that you can also check your remaining benefit balance and weeks left on the PA UC website under "View Benefit Summary" - it shows exactly how many weeks you have left out of your 26-week maximum. This helped me keep track when I was getting close to the end of my benefit year. Also, if you're getting close to exhausting your regular UC benefits, you might want to look into Extended Benefits (EB) or other federal programs that sometimes kick in during high unemployment periods, though those aren't always available.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
•That's really helpful about checking the benefit summary online! I didn't know you could track your remaining weeks that way. Quick question - do you know if those Extended Benefits automatically kick in or do you have to apply separately? I'm hoping to find work soon but want to understand all my options just in case.
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