PA UC eligibility after job offer fell through & resignation from previous employer

Sorry about your situation! From my experience, PA is really strict about voluntary quits, even with a job offer that falls through. They'll probably investigate whether you had "necessitous and compelling" reasons to quit. Did you get the new job offer in writing? That's SUPER important for your case.

You actually have a decent chance at approval. This falls under PA's "necessitous and compelling" reason to quit if you can prove you had a firm job offer that fell through. Make sure you upload to your dashboard: 1) your resignation letter mentioning the new job, 2) the written job offer, and 3) ANY communication about the job falling through. If you don't have #3, email the company asking them to confirm in writing why the position wasn't available. The examiner will be looking for proof you quit for a DEFINITE job offer, not just a possibility.

I went through this exact situation last year. PA UC examiners look at whether you had a "reasonable assurance" of another job before quitting. If you had the offer in writing with a start date, and can document the offer was rescinded through no fault of your own, you have a good case. Be prepared to explain all this clearly in your fact-finding interview. Have you been able to schedule your interview with an examiner yet? That's where getting through on the phone lines becomes critical.

If you're having trouble reaching PA UC on the phone, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). It helped me get through to an actual person when my claim was stuck for weeks. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I was skeptical at first but was desperate after calling 50+ times myself. Getting through to someone helped me find out exactly what documentation they needed for my case.

To address the question about your previous employer saying you could return after 6 months - that's actually irrelevant to your UC claim. What matters is that 1) you had a definite job offer when you quit, and 2) the job fell through through no fault of your own. Make sure to document EVERYTHING and be 100% honest in your fact-finding questionnaire. Keep detailed records of all your job search activities too - PA requires you to complete and document at least 2 work search activities each week you claim benefits.

my sister had almost exactly the same thing happen and she got approved but it took like 7 weeks!!!! they made her appeal the first decision because they denied her initially. keep all ur emails about the job offer and keep applying to jobs and documenting everything. the wait is crazy but if u have proof of the job offer u should eventually get approved

I HATE that they make u wait so long!!! The system is DESIGNED to make people give up!!! I had to live on credit cards for 2 months while waiting for my determination. RIDICULOUS!!!!!

To answer your earlier question - yes, if approved, you'll receive backpay for all eligible weeks you claimed. For uploading documents, log into your dashboard, go to "My Documents," and there should be an upload button. If you can't see it, try using a different browser (Chrome works best with their system). Regarding contacting them, I recommend trying the PA UC phone line exactly at 8:00am when they open. That's when you have the best chance of getting through without using a service.

I used Claimyr after trying the 8am trick for two weeks with no success. Got through in about 30 minutes. The rep explained that my case needed specific documentation I didn't know about, so I was able to resolve my issue before it turned into a full denial. For your situation, I'd recommend getting through to someone ASAP to make sure your case is properly documented rather than waiting for an automatic denial and then having to appeal.

Yes, they connected me directly to a UC representative who pulled up my claim and helped me. The rep told me exactly what documents they needed and the best way to submit them. For your case, make sure you emphasize that you had a FIRM offer that was rescinded through no fault of your own. That's the key to getting approved under PA's rules for voluntary quits.

One more thing - make sure you're answering your phone even if you don't recognize the number. UC examiners often call from blocked or strange numbers, and if you miss their call, it can delay your case even more. Also check your spam/junk email folder daily for any communications from them. When they finally do contact you, be prepared to clearly explain your situation in a concise, factual way.

I went through something similar about 8 months ago. Had a written job offer, gave notice, then the company had a "hiring freeze" right before my start date. PA UC initially denied me but I appealed and won. The key was having that written offer letter and being able to prove the job was eliminated due to circumstances beyond my control, not performance issues. My advice: 1) Don't give up if you get an initial denial - many of these cases get approved on appeal, 2) Keep calling or use one of those callback services people mentioned, and 3) When you do talk to someone, emphasize that you had a DEFINITE start date and the position was eliminated for business reasons. The whole process took about 10 weeks total but I did get all the backpay. Hang in there!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - had a job offer that fell through after I'd already given notice at my previous job. From what I've learned researching PA UC rules, you actually have a decent shot at approval since you had a written offer with a specific start date. The key is proving you had "reasonable assurance" of employment when you quit. Make sure to upload that offer letter to your dashboard ASAP, and try to get something in writing from the new company about why the position was eliminated (even just an email). I've been waiting 3 weeks for my determination and the stress is real, but several people have told me these cases often get approved, sometimes on appeal if not initially. Keep documenting everything and don't give up if you get an initial denial. The system seems designed to discourage people but you have legitimate grounds here.

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation! Based on what others have shared here, it sounds like you actually have a strong case since you had that written job offer with a specific start date. The fact that your old manager even suggested using your resignation papers for unemployment shows they understood your situation was legitimate. A few practical tips from reading through everyone's experiences: definitely try to get something in writing from the company about why they eliminated your position (even just an email), keep answering unknown phone calls since examiners call from weird numbers, and don't panic if you get an initial denial - many people here got approved on appeal. The waiting is brutal but it sounds like you're doing everything right with the job applications and documentation. Hang in there and keep us posted on how it goes!

I'm going through something very similar right now and reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! I had a job offer that got rescinded due to company restructuring after I'd already given my two weeks notice. Been waiting 4 weeks now for an examiner decision and the anxiety is eating me alive. What I've learned from this thread: 1) Having that written offer letter with a start date is crucial - sounds like you're covered there, 2) Try to get ANY documentation about why the job fell through, even just an email, and 3) Don't lose hope if you get initially denied since appeals seem to work for these situations. The waiting is absolutely brutal when bills are piling up, but it sounds like you're doing everything right with the documentation and job search. Really hoping both of us get good news soon! The fact that your old manager suggested using your resignation for UC shows even they recognized this wasn't a normal voluntary quit situation.

I'm dealing with almost the exact same situation right now! Had a written job offer, gave my two weeks notice, then got a call saying the position was eliminated due to "budget constraints" just days before I was supposed to start. Filed for UC about 3 weeks ago and still waiting for an examiner decision - the stress is unreal. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been really eye-opening though. Sounds like having that written offer letter with a specific start date is the most important thing, which thankfully I have. I'm also going to follow the advice about getting something in writing from the company about why they eliminated the position - even just a brief email confirming the budget cuts could help. The waiting game is absolutely brutal when you're watching your savings disappear, but it's encouraging to see that several people here got approved either initially or on appeal for similar situations. Thanks for sharing your story - it helps to know we're not alone in dealing with this nightmare! I'll definitely keep everyone updated on how my case goes.

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting while bills pile up is absolutely awful. Based on everyone's experiences in this thread, it sounds like you actually have a solid case since you had that written job offer with a specific start date. The fact that the position was eliminated due to budget cuts (not anything you did wrong) should work in your favor. A few things that might help while you wait: definitely try to get that email from the company confirming why the position was eliminated - even a brief response could strengthen your case significantly. Also, keep answering all unknown phone calls since examiners apparently call from random numbers. And don't lose hope if you get an initial denial - seems like a lot of people here won on appeal for similar situations. The waiting process is clearly broken and way too stressful, but you're doing everything right with the documentation and job search. Hoping you hear good news soon and can get some relief from this nightmare situation!

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and want to give you some hope! I had a written job offer, resigned from my previous position, then the company had a "restructuring" and eliminated my role just 3 days before my start date. PA UC initially denied me after about 5 weeks, but I immediately appealed and won. The appeal hearing was actually pretty straightforward - the hearing officer understood that I had a legitimate job offer and the position was eliminated through no fault of my own. Key things that helped my case: 1) The written offer letter with specific start date and salary, 2) My resignation letter that mentioned the new position, and 3) I managed to get an email from HR at the new company confirming the position was eliminated due to budget cuts. Even though it was just a brief 2-sentence email, it made all the difference. Total time from filing to getting approved was about 12 weeks, but I did get full backpay for all eligible weeks. The financial stress during that time was brutal, but it worked out in the end. Don't give up if you get initially denied - your case sounds very similar to mine and these situations often get approved on appeal. Keep documenting everything and stay strong!