PA UC denied my claim because I'm on leave of absence - thought I was eligible?

Unfortunately, in Pennsylvania, you generally can't collect UC benefits if you're on a voluntary leave of absence. The key question is whether your leave was voluntary or involuntary. If the employer forced you to take this leave, you might have a case for appeal. If you agreed to the leave (even reluctantly), it's considered voluntary and you probably won't qualify.

same thing happened to my cousin last yr... PA UC system is a MESS!!! they tell u one thing then do another

The key distinction PA UC makes is whether you are unemployed through no fault of your own. A mandated/forced leave of absence where you had no choice can potentially qualify you for benefits, but you need to prove it wasn't voluntary. For your appeal, gather any documentation showing the leave was required by your employer - emails, the restructuring announcement, anything showing you didn't request this leave. The specific wording on forms matters a lot in these cases.

Have you tried calling PA UC to get clarification? Sometimes the online system makes automatic denials that an actual person can override once they understand your specific circumstances.

I was in a similar situation in 2023! My employer called it a "temporary layoff" instead of a leave of absence and that made all the difference. Ask your HR if they can reclassify it - the wording matters SO MUCH with PA unemployment!

If you're struggling to get through to PA UC on the phone, I recently used a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual rep within 20 minutes after I'd been trying for days. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. It really helped me resolve my open issue when I was in a similar situation with confusing determination letters.

Did yur determination letter give u appeal instructions? Theres usually a form and a deadline (15 days I think) so dont wait too long to file it!

One more thing to consider: check if your leave of absence qualifies for any other type of assistance. While regular UC might deny you, there could be other programs through your employer or state that can help. Also, make sure your appeal clearly explains that this was not voluntary - that's the critical factor in these cases.

my friend just went thru this!! make sure u keep filing your weekly claims even while appealing!! if u win the appeal they'll pay u for those weeks but only if u filed!