PA UC eligibility after 2-month job with $9,000 earnings - laid off unexpectedly

I was in a similar situation last year. PA unemployment looks at your base year (the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply). Since we're in 2025, they'd look at Oct 2023-Sep 2024 for you. If you only worked 2 months in PA and had no other jobs in that timeframe, you might not qualify. However, if you had work in Florida during that base year period, you might be able to combine wage credits between states. Check out claimyr.com if you want to actually reach someone at the unemployment office to discuss your specific situation - they have a service that helps you get through to an agent without waiting on hold forever. I used their video demo (https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2) to see how it works. Totally worth it when you need answers fast.

It sounds like you might qualify for a combined wage claim since you worked in both FL and PA during the base year period. Here's what you should do: 1. File your initial claim in Pennsylvania since that's where you last worked 2. When you get to the employment history section, make sure to list ALL your employers from both states during the base year 3. The system should recognize this as an interstate claim and process it accordingly The $9,000 from your PA job plus your Florida wages should help you qualify if combined. You'll need to meet both the financial eligibility requirements (minimum earnings) and non-financial requirements (reason for separation being eligible like layoff).

I got laid off after 3 months last year and got benefits no problem. Just apply online and be honest about everythng. The worst they can say is no.

Pennsylvania has specific financial eligibility requirements you need to meet: 1. You must have earned at least $116 per week in at least 18 weeks during your base year, OR 2. You must have earned at least $9,480 total during your base year Since you earned $9,000 in PA alone, you're close to qualifying just with that. But add your Florida wages through the interstate claim process and you should be fine. When you file, make sure you answer "yes" when asked if you worked in another state during the base year period. The system will then prompt you for details about your Florida employment. Just be prepared - interstate claims can take longer to process (3-5 weeks) because PA needs to verify your wages with Florida.

OMG the PA unemployment system is THE WORST with out-of-state wage combinations!!! I moved from New York and it took them 7 WEEKS to process my claim because they said they were "waiting on wage verification" from NY. I called EVERY DAY and got nothing but busy signals. Finally had to contact my state rep to get it resolved. The whole system is designed to make you give up!!!!

My cousin just went thru this. he had to wait like a month but did get aproved with only like 3 months of work so youll probly be ok

When you file, make sure you indicate you were laid off and not fired or that you quit. That's super important for eligibility. And keep filing your weekly claims even if your initial claim is pending! I made that mistake and lost 2 weeks of benefits.

One more thing - since you mentioned construction work, make sure you answer the union questions accurately on your application. If you were part of a union, even briefly, you'll need to provide that information. Also, construction work sometimes has special rules about seasonal employment, but since you mentioned being laid off unexpectedly rather than a seasonal layoff, that shouldn't affect your claim negatively.

Make sure u have ur last pay stub handy when u file! they ask for exact amounts and dates.

Also remember you'll need to complete your work search activities every week once you start filing weekly claims. PA requires you to apply to at least 2 jobs and do 1 other work search activity (like updating your resume or attending a workshop) each week. Document everything carefully!