PA UC claim confusion - reporting part-time bartending job after layoff from full-time position
Just got laid off today from my full-time office job (company downsizing) and I'm trying to file for PA unemployment. I'm stuck on the employer section because I also bartend part-time on weekends (maybe 2-3 shifts a month) and still have that job. The UC application asks for ALL employers, but then wants a 'reason for separation' for each one. What do I put for my bartending job since I'm still working there? There's no option for 'still employed' that I can find. I don't want to mess up my claim by answering wrong, but I also don't want to hide income. Anyone deal with this before?
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Raul Neal
I had the exact same situation last year! I was working full-time at a warehouse and part-time at my friend's shop. When I got laid off from the warehouse, I kept the weekend job. For the UC application, you DEFINITELY need to list both jobs. For the bartending job, select "Still Employed" or "Still Working" in the separation reason dropdown. If that's not an option (the system changes sometimes), choose "Other" and type in that you're still working there. When you do your weekly certifications, you'll report whatever income you make from bartending each week. Don't worry about it affecting your claim - they'll just reduce your weekly benefit amount for weeks you have part-time income. I waited on hold for 4 HOURS to get this info, so trust me!
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Heather Tyson
•Thank you so much! I don't see a 'Still Employed' option anywhere but there is an 'Other' with a text box. I'll use that and explain I still work there. Do they reduce your benefit by the exact amount you earn bartending or is there some calculation?
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Jenna Sloan
just put other and write still employed... they will figure it out
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Heather Tyson
•Thanks. Have you had to deal with reporting part-time income when filing weekly claims? I'm wondering how much that'll reduce my benefits.
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Christian Burns
Make sure you list BOTH jobs on your initial claim. For the bartending job, select "Other" as the separation reason and write "Still employed part-time" in the explanation box. When you file your weekly claims, you must report all gross earnings (before taxes) for the week you worked, not when you get paid. PA UC allows partial benefits if you work part-time. Here's how they calculate it: They don't count 40% of your weekly benefit rate (WBR). Then anything you earn over that 40% reduces your benefit dollar for dollar. Example: If your WBR is $500, they don't count the first $200 you earn bartending. If you make $250 bartending in a week, they'll deduct $50 from your benefit payment. This is why accuracy matters - reporting correctly means you'll get the right partial benefit amount.
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Heather Tyson
•This is SUPER helpful, thank you! I had no idea how the partial benefit calculation worked. So basically I can earn up to 40% of my benefit rate without any reduction? That's good to know because some weeks I hardly work at the bar and other weeks I might pick up extra shifts.
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Sasha Reese
They make this SO confusing on purpose i swear!! I remember filling out my claim and wondering the same thing. Put "OTHER" and write still employed parttime. BUT when u do weekly certifications u need to report ANY money u make bartending for that week, including tips!!! They will count it against ur benefits but u still might get something. My brother didnt report his pt job and got hit with an overpayment notice later. BIG headache to fix!!
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Heather Tyson
•Thanks for the warning about tips! I definitely don't want to get hit with an overpayment notice. Do you know if I report tips the same week I earn them, even if they're not on my paycheck until later?
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Muhammad Hobbs
when i was on uc last year i had a part time job too. the system is confusing about this but you NEED to list all employers from the past 18 months no matter what. for the bartending job just select OTHER and write that you still work there. you'll have to report what you earn each week when you do your weekly claims. they don't disqualify you for having some income, they just reduce your payment a bit depending how much you make.
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Noland Curtis
•This is exactly right. And don't worry too much about the exact reduction calculation - the UC system does it automatically once you report your earnings. Just make sure to report accurately each week. By the way, if you're having trouble reaching someone at UC to clarify any of this (which is likely - their phone lines are ALWAYS jammed), try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that connects you with a UC agent usually within an hour instead of waiting days or weeks. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I used it when I had an issue with my claim last month and was able to sort everything out in one call instead of spending weeks trying to get through.
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Diez Ellis
It's important to be completely accurate with your application. For your initial claim, you must list ALL employers from the past 18 months, including your current part-time bartending job. For the separation reason on your bartending job, select "Other" and write "Currently employed part-time." When filing weekly claims, you must report any hours worked and gross wages earned (including tips) during that week, even from part-time work. Pennsylvania uses a partial benefit credit calculation that allows you to earn some income without losing all benefits. The partial benefit calculation works like this: - 40% of your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR) is your "partial benefit credit" - You can earn up to this amount without reduction in benefits - For earnings above this amount, your weekly benefit is reduced dollar-for-dollar Example: If your WBR is $400, you can earn up to $160 (40% of $400) without reduction. If you earn $200 bartending, your benefit would be reduced by $40 ($200 - $160 = $40).
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Heather Tyson
•Thank you for the detailed explanation! That makes sense. One more question - my bartending income varies a lot week to week. Sometimes I might make more than my weekly benefit rate. For weeks I earn more than my benefit rate, do I still need to file a weekly certification?
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Jenna Sloan
yes u still have to do the weekly claims even if u know ur not getting money that week. if u skip weeks it messes up ur claim. better to just do it every week no matter what
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Heather Tyson
•Got it, thank you! I'll make sure to file every week regardless of how much I make bartending.
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Christian Burns
To answer your follow-up question about weekly certifications: Yes, you should file every week, even when your bartending income exceeds your benefit amount. This keeps your claim active and prevents issues if your income drops in future weeks. For tips, you report them in the week you receive them, not when they appear on your paycheck. The UC system asks for all income earned during the week, which includes tips earned that week. Remember that the PA UC definition of a week is Sunday through Saturday. So when you certify, make sure you're reporting all earnings from that specific Sunday-Saturday period, regardless of when you actually receive your paycheck.
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Heather Tyson
•This is incredibly helpful - thank you for clarifying about the tips and the Sunday-Saturday week definition. I'll make sure to track everything carefully. I really appreciate everyone's help!
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