PA UC confusion with per diem job - can I stop filing while in training?

This is one of those frustrating grey areas in the PA UC system. The short answer is: Yes, you should continue filing weekly claims and doing job searches until you're consistently working full-time hours (32+ hours per week). Being per diem means your hours aren't guaranteed, so technically you're still 'partially unemployed' in weeks you don't get full-time hours. The CareerLink person was correct that if you stop doing job searches while collecting partial benefits, you could face an overpayment issue. However, regarding turning down job offers - you only need to report job offers you actually reject, and you can have valid reasons for rejection (like schedule conflicts with your current job). My advice: keep doing the required job search activities but focus on positions that wouldn't interfere with your current job (different shifts, etc.). Document everything in case you need to explain later.

The whole UC system is SUCH A JOKE when it comes to per diem workers!!! I went through this EXACT nightmare last year and ended up with a $2,100 overpayment because I didn't do enough "job searches" while working my per diem hospital job. I told them repeatedly I WANTED to keep my job but sometimes only got 10-12 hours a week. They didn't care!!! The rules basically force you to look for jobs you don't want or risk losing benefits. It's completely BACKWARDS and punishes healthcare workers who accept per diem positions! The PA UC system is designed for traditional 9-5 jobs, not modern flexible work arrangements. GOOD LUCK trying to get anyone at UC to understand your situation - I called 92 TIMES over 3 weeks and never got through.

I help people navigate these situations all the time. Here's what you need to understand: Pennsylvania UC rules require you to be able, available, and actively seeking work while receiving ANY benefits - even partial benefits. Until you have a full-time permanent position (consistently working 32+ hours weekly), you must continue meeting the work search requirements. For your situation, I recommend: 1) Keep filing weekly claims accurately reporting all hours/earnings 2) Complete your work search activities each week (PA requires 2 job applications and 1 work search activity) 3) Document everything - keep records of all your job applications and work search activities 4) Consider applying for positions similar to your current one but with guaranteed hours If you want to stop dealing with UC entirely, you would need to simply stop filing weekly claims, but then you'd receive no benefits during weeks with reduced hours. Have you tried calling the UC office directly to get clarification? Many people have luck using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an agent without waiting on hold for hours. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 showing how it works. Getting official guidance for your specific situation might give you more peace of mind.

just wonderin but what field are u in? healthcare? i'm in a similar boat with restaurant work. some weeks i get like 38 hrs and others i get like 15 hrs and its so confusing with uc. i just keep filing and hoping i dont mess up somewhere

The guidelines for PA UC are very specific regarding per diem work. You are considered partially unemployed and eligible for partial benefits when working less than full-time (under 32 hours). You must continue performing and documenting your work search requirements (applying to 2 jobs and completing 1 work search activity each week) as long as you're filing for ANY benefits. Regarding your concern about turning down job offers: You have a valid reason to decline offers that conflict with your current employment schedule. This is acceptable under UC guidelines and wouldn't disqualify you. One important point: If you anticipate your hours increasing soon, you might consider whether the hassle of continued filing is worth the partial benefit amount. Some claimants in your situation choose to stop filing once they secure regular employment, even if part-time, to avoid potential complications. You can't technically "close" your claim - you would simply stop filing weekly certifications. Your benefit year remains open for 52 weeks from when you applied, and you can resume filing if your hours decrease significantly. For definitive answers, speaking directly with a UC representative would be most beneficial.

Quick update - I just remembered something important about my situation that might help you. When I was dealing with per diem work, I found out you can actually list your job search activities as looking for ADDITIONAL work that wouldn't interfere with your current job. So instead of applying to full-time positions that would conflict, I applied to weekend-only or evening positions at other facilities that could supplement my existing job. The UC rep I finally reached said this was perfectly acceptable since I was still looking for ways to become fully employed. Might be a way to thread the needle in your situation!

has anyone else noticed that the pa uc website has literally NO guidance about per diem work?? i spent like an hour searching for info when i was working as a substitute teacher and couldnt find ANYTHING about what to do in situations where your hours change week to week. its like they want us to mess up or something

Just to clarify one important point from my earlier comment: According to PA UC regulations, you need to consistently work 30+ hours per week (not 32 as I incorrectly stated) for three consecutive weeks to be considered "full-time employed" and no longer eligible for benefits. At that point, you would naturally stop filing. During training or periods of inconsistent scheduling, you're considered partially unemployed and eligible for partial benefits, which is why you need to continue the job search requirements.

I'm in a very similar situation as a per diem CNA! What really helped me was keeping detailed records of everything - all my work hours, earnings, job applications, and work search activities in a simple spreadsheet. When I eventually got audited (which seems to happen a lot with per diem workers), having everything documented saved me from any overpayment issues. One thing I learned is that you can use online job fairs, career workshops, and even LinkedIn networking as work search activities - not just job applications. This made it easier to meet the requirements without constantly applying to jobs I didn't want. Also, if you're doing CNA work, consider looking into registry positions at other facilities as your job searches - they're usually very flexible and won't conflict with your current schedule. The key is showing you're genuinely trying to increase your total work hours, even if it's through multiple part-time positions rather than one full-time job. Good luck with your training! Once you get through this initial period and can pick up more consistent hours, things should get much easier.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year as a per diem respiratory therapist! The confusion is totally understandable because the PA UC system really wasn't designed with healthcare per diem workers in mind. Here's what I learned after months of dealing with this: You absolutely CAN stop filing if you want to avoid the hassle, but you'll lose any partial benefits during low-hour weeks. I actually did this for a few months when my per diem position was giving me inconsistent hours (sometimes 12 hours, sometimes 28) because I got tired of the job search requirements and constant worry about overpayments. The thing that finally helped me was realizing I could be strategic about my job searches. I started applying only to positions that would complement my current job - like weekend-only positions at other hospitals, or PRN roles that specifically stated "flexible scheduling." I also counted things like updating my certifications, attending nursing education webinars, and even networking with other CNAs as work search activities. One tip that saved me: document EVERYTHING in writing. Screenshot your job applications, save emails from potential employers, keep records of every work search activity. If you ever get questioned, you'll have proof you were following the rules. The good news is once you're out of training and can potentially get more consistent hours, this whole nightmare gets much easier to manage. Hang in there!

I'm going through something very similar right now as a new per diem medical assistant! Just finished my certification and got hired at a clinic, but my hours are all over the place during this probationary period - some weeks I get 25 hours, others just 12. The whole UC filing situation has me so stressed because I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. What's been helpful for me is treating the job search requirement as a way to build a network of backup opportunities rather than looking for jobs to replace my current one. I've been applying to other per diem positions at different medical offices that could work around my current schedule, and also looking into weekend-only opportunities at urgent care centers. This way I'm technically meeting the work search requirements while actually trying to supplement my current income rather than replace my job. One thing I learned from calling the UC office (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) is that they really do expect you to keep filing as long as you're not consistently full-time, even if you love your current job. The rep told me that per diem workers are considered "underemployed" rather than "unemployed" which is why we still qualify for partial benefits but have to keep looking for additional work. It's frustrating that the system doesn't account for people who are happy with flexible work arrangements, but at least now I understand the rules better. Hang in there - sounds like we're all figuring this out together!