PA UC claim flagged after layoff - eligibility question confusion + CareerLink job search tracking issues
Just got laid off on March 8th and PA unemployment is already giving me headaches! My manager told me to file for UC since they eliminated my position and wouldn't contest it. I filed my first certification last Sunday (waiting week) and then filed again this morning, but ran into two big problems:\n\n1) None of the eligibility questions matched my situation at all! There wasn't a clear 'laid off' option in the dropdown. I ended up selecting 'other; restricted hours' and explained in the notes section that my position was eliminated. I uploaded my termination letter too. Now my claim shows an 'open issue' status. Will this delay my payments?\n\n2) The CareerLink job search reporting seems broken? I've applied to 12 jobs over the past two weeks (7 first week, 5 this week) through LinkedIn and Indeed, but my CareerLink portal only shows 4 total applications being tracked! The activity log shows I've done over 25 job searches but it's not capturing my actual applications correctly.\n\nHas anyone dealt with either of these issues recently? I'm worried about getting disqualified over a technicality when I'm legitimately laid off and actively job hunting. Bills are piling up fast!
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Liam Fitzgerald
For your first question, the 'open issue' is probably just them verifying your layoff with your employer. This is standard procedure and usually resolves within 2-3 business days if your employer confirms what you said. If your employer truly isn't contesting it, you should be fine, but it might delay your first payment by a week or so.\n\nFor the CareerLink issue, that system is notoriously unreliable for tracking external applications. What matters is that YOU keep detailed records of your job search activities. I recommend creating a spreadsheet with dates, company names, position titles, and application methods. PA UC can request this documentation if they audit your work search requirements. As long as you can prove you're meeting the weekly requirements (applying to at least 2 jobs and doing 1 additional search activity), you'll be covered even if CareerLink isn't tracking everything properly.
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Mei Lin
Thank you for the reassurance! I was panicking about the open issue. Do you know if I should call them to explain my situation better or just wait it out? And good idea about the spreadsheet - I started one as soon as I read your comment. Is there any way to manually add my Indeed/LinkedIn applications into the CareerLink system retroactively?
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Amara Nnamani
i had exact same problem with the eligibility questions last month!!! there's no clear option for being laid off which is crazy since thats probably the most common reason ppl need unemployment!!! the system is so confusing. mine was stuck on 'open issue' for like 10 days then suddenly got approved without me doing anything. just keep filing your weekly claims even if you're not getting paid yet
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Giovanni Mancini
The eligibility questions are freakin ridiculous. I swear they make this stuff confusing on purpose to deny claims. When I got laid off in January I ended up picking 'lack of work' which isn't exactly right either but my claim went through. PA UC is a nightmare to deal with.
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NebulaNinja
Regarding your CareerLink issue - this is a VERY common problem. The system only properly tracks applications done THROUGH the CareerLink portal. Any external applications (Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites) won't automatically sync, even though they SHOULD count toward your work search requirements.\n\nHere's what you need to do:\n1. Keep applying to jobs through whatever platforms work best for you\n2. Document EVERYTHING - dates, company names, position titles, application methods\n3. For work search compliance, you must complete at least 2 job applications AND 1 additional work search activity each week\n4. Additional activities can include: attending job fairs, taking job skills assessments, creating profiles on job sites, etc.\n\nDon't worry about what CareerLink is or isn't tracking as long as you're keeping your own detailed records. If you get audited (random selection), you'll need to provide this documentation.\n\nFor your eligibility question issue, 'other; restricted hours' with your explanation should eventually be fine, but it will likely trigger manual review which is causing the 'open issue' status.
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Mei Lin
This is really helpful info, thank you! I didn't realize CareerLink only tracks applications through their system - that explains a lot. I've been documenting everything in a spreadsheet now. Quick follow-up question - if I get a job interview, does that count as one of my work search activities for the week?
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
my sister had the open issue problem last month and it took FOREVER to clear up because she couldnt reach anyone on the phone. have u tried calling them? its impossible to get through
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Dylan Mitchell
I was stuck in the same situation last month - impossible to reach anyone at PA UC by phone. After wasting days with busy signals and disconnects, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they actually got me through to an agent in about 35 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZWG3KiHrg2\n\nThe agent was able to clear my open issue right away once I explained my situation. Sometimes you just need to talk to a real person to get these things fixed, especially with confusing eligibility questions.
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Mei Lin
I haven't tried calling yet because I figured I'd just get busy signals. Thanks for the Claimyr suggestion - I'll check that out if my issue doesn't resolve in the next few days. Did you have to explain anything special to the agent or did they just need to review your case?
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Sofia Morales
The eligibility questions on pa unemployment are THE WORST!! I got laid off too and remember being so stressed about which option to pick. System desperately needs updating. When i called they told me to just pick whatever is closest and explain in notes which is exactly what u did so hopefully ur good
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Liam Fitzgerald
Just to follow up on your CareerLink question - no, you CANNOT retroactively add external applications to the system. This is a major flaw with how PA tracks work search activities. My recommendation is to start doing at least one application per week directly through CareerLink (even if you're also applying on other platforms) just to have some activities showing in their system. But again, what ultimately matters is your own documentation, not what's showing in their portal.\n\nIf you're meeting the requirements (minimum 2 job applications + 1 work search activity weekly), you're compliant regardless of what CareerLink shows.
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Mei Lin
That's really good to know. I'll start applying to at least one job directly through CareerLink each week while continuing my other application methods. Their system seems so outdated compared to modern job boards.
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Giovanni Mancini
PA unemployment is such a MESS!!! I swear they intentionally make everything confusing and broken to deny people benefits. I had an open issue for THREE WEEKS last year because of those stupid eligibility questions. And don't even get me started on CareerLink! That system is from like 2003 and barely works. Keep detailed records of EVERYTHING because they will try to say you didn't do enough job searching!!!
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Amara Nnamani
good news for u! my claim was stuck with same
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Mei Lin
That's encouraging to hear! Did you have to do anything special or did it just resolve on its own? I'm trying to decide if I should be proactive and call them or just wait it out.
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NebulaNinja
To directly answer your other question - yes, a job interview absolutely counts as a work search activity! Here's the full list of what counts toward your weekly requirements:\n\n1. Applying for a job (through any method)\n2. Interviewing for a job (phone, video, or in-person)\n3. Taking a civil service test\n4. Creating an employment profile on a business networking site\n5. Attending a job fair\n6. Taking a skills assessment for job matching\n7. Participating in a workshop or seminar related to job searching\n8. Posting a resume on a job posting site\n\nYou need minimum 2 job applications + 1 additional activity from this list per week. Document dates and details for everything.
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Mei Lin
Thank you for the comprehensive list! That's super helpful. I'll make sure to document all these activities in detail. I've got an interview scheduled next week so that will count toward that week's requirements.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
my friend just went through the EXACT same thing with careerlink last month!!!! she was applying to jobs on linkedin and indeed but careerlink wasnt tracking them. she ended up taking screenshots of every application confirmation email just to be safe in case they questioned her. maybe try that??
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Dylan Mitchell
Update on my situation - the open issue cleared yesterday and I got my first payment deposited today! Took exactly 9 days from when it first showed 'open issue'. I never actually spoke to anyone at PA UC, it just resolved itself. For anyone dealing with eligibility question confusion, just pick the closest option, explain in notes, and upload documentation if possible. The system is frustrating but eventually works.
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Mei Lin
That's such a relief to hear! Gives me hope that mine might resolve without me having to spend days trying to get through on the phone. I'll keep certifying weekly and hope for the best. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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