PA UC disqualified me for 'insufficient work search' even after applying for jobs - help!
I'm so confused and frustrated right now. I filed for unemployment last month after being laid off from my warehouse job. I registered with PA CareerLink like they told me to and even applied for 3 different shipping/receiving positions (which is what I've done for 8 years). Just checked my claim status today and it says I'm DISQUALIFIED for 'not meeting work search requirements'?? What the heck?? I thought I was doing everything right! Did they change the rules again? Do I need to do more than apply for jobs each week? This is my first time on unemployment and I really need this money to pay rent next month. Has anyone else dealt with this?
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Sophie Footman
PA requires you to complete a minimum of 3 work search activities each week. Simply registering with CareerLink only counts as ONE activity for your FIRST week. After that, you need to do 3 NEW activities every week. These can include: applying for positions, attending job fairs, creating/posting resumes, taking job interviews, or using CareerLink resources. Also, you need to keep detailed records of ALL your work search activities including dates, company names, positions, how you applied, etc. They can audit you anytime.
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Daniel Rivera
•Wait seriously? I thought registering with CareerLink was enough for the whole time! I did apply for those 3 jobs but that was spread across 2 weeks, not 3 every single week. No wonder I got disqualified. Is there any way to fix this or am I just out of luck now?
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Connor Rupert
omg same thing happened to my cousin last month!!!! he thought he was good just checking job listings but didnt actually apply to enough. PA UC is so strict now its ridiculous
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Molly Hansen
•They're not being strict, they're just following the law. The work search requirements have been the same since July 2019. Everyone acts surprised but it's literally explained in all the paperwork and on the website. The problem is nobody reads anything.
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Brady Clean
You need to appeal this decision immediately! You only have 15 calendar days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal. Go to your dashboard and look for the appeal option under the disqualification notice. Even if you didn't fully meet the requirements, if you show good faith effort and explain your misunderstanding, the referee might rule in your favor, especially as a first-time claimant. Make sure to continue filing your weekly claims during the appeal process, and start doing 3 work search activities every week from now on.
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Daniel Rivera
•Thank you so much for this info! I'm definitely going to appeal right away. I had no idea I only have 15 days - the letter is dated May 2nd so I better hurry. Will definitely keep filing and doing the right amount of work search from now on. Should I print out proof of the applications I already submitted to bring to the hearing?
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Molly Hansen
Just FYI, you absolutely NEED to document EVERYTHING from now on. For each work search activity, record: - Date of activity - Type of activity (application, resume submission, etc) - Company name and location - Position title - How you applied (online, in person, etc) - Result/response (if any) - Contact information I keep all mine in a spreadsheet so I can just copy the info each week when I certify. It's saved me multiple times when they've questioned my work search.
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Daniel Rivera
•A spreadsheet is such a good idea! I was just writing everything on random pieces of paper. Will definitely start using that method!
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Skylar Neal
Trust me, the appeal process is AWFUL. I had to wait 2.5 months just to get a hearing date for my appeal after they disqualified me for supposedly not doing work search (even though I did). Could barely pay my bills during that time. The worst part was trying to get anyone on the phone to explain what was happening. I called literally 67 times one day and kept getting busy signals or disconnected.
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Vincent Bimbach
•I was in the same boat with calling issues until I discovered Claimyr. It's a service that connects you directly with a PA UC agent, usually within an hour instead of days of calling. Totally worth checking out at claimyr.com - they have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 showing how it works. It saved me so much frustration when dealing with my work search disqualification issue. I was able to get clear answers about exactly what documentation I needed for my appeal.
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Kelsey Chin
MY ADVICE: Appeal immediately AND call the UC service center to explain your situation!!!! The system is basically DESIGNED to disqualify people over technicalities. I know someone who works for UC and they said if you can talk to an actual person and explain that you misunderstood as a first-time claimant, they can sometimes reverse the decision without even needing the full appeal process.
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Daniel Rivera
•That would be amazing if they could just fix it over the phone! I've been trying to call but keeps saying all agents are busy. Will keep trying though.
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Connor Rupert
hey just wondering did u apply for jobs in ur field or just any random jobs? my friend said u can get in trouble if ur not applying to jobs similar to what u had before
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Sophie Footman
•This is partly correct. For the first 10 weeks of your benefit year, you need to apply for jobs that provide similar wages and conditions to your previous employment and utilize your prior training/experience. After those 10 weeks, you may need to consider jobs that pay at least 80% of your previous wage and may require commuting farther or different skills. However, any legitimate work search activity (including applying to jobs outside your field) still counts toward your weekly activity requirements.
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Molly Hansen
Just to be super clear for everyone reading this thread: PA UC requires 3 work search activities EVERY WEEK, and you have to report these activities when you file your weekly certification. Many people get disqualified because they did the activities but forgot to report them. And yes, they can and DO audit people randomly!
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Daniel Rivera
•Thank you! I'll make sure to report everything correctly from now on. Just submitted my appeal explaining that I misunderstood the requirements. Fingers crossed they'll give me another chance!
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