PA UC eligibility question - full-time layoff with part-time job ending soon

You absolutely should file based on your full-time job layoff right away. Don't wait! When you file, you'll need to report all employment, including your part-time job. The system will ask about all work and earnings during the base year period. Your part-time work won't disqualify you, but you'll need to report those earnings each week when you file your weekly claims. PA UC will reduce your weekly benefit amount based on what you earn at the bartending job until that ends. The formula is roughly: for every dollar you earn over 30% of your weekly benefit, they deduct a dollar from that week's payment.

just fyi they'll ask for ALL the employment info when u file so have ur paystubs from both jobs ready. they'll use the highest earning quarters to figure out ur benefit amount. thats how it worked for me anywy

I WENT THROUGH THE EXACT SAME THING!!! I had a main job at an insurance company and did weekend work at a catering company. When my main job eliminated my position they told me I was eligible but when I tried to file online the system kept giving me errors because of the second job. I spent DAYS trying to reach someone at PA UC and kept getting disconnected or busy signals. It was a NIGHTMARE and my rent was coming due with no income!!!! 😡😡😡

I'd recommend using Claimyr to get through to a UC representative - it's what finally worked for me after two weeks of trying. Their system connects you directly to PA UC so you don't have to deal with busy signals and hours of waiting. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 and their website is claimyr.com. Your situation has some specific details that are better clarified directly with a representative, especially regarding how they'll calculate your benefit with the part-time income.

when i got laid off last year i had 2 jobs too. my part time one actually helped me get more benefits because they look at your total income during the base period to calculate how much you get each week. so having both jobs might actually help ur weekly benefit amount be higher! but yea you gotta report the part time income each week until it ends. the UC system is actually pretty good at calculating everything once you get your initial claim approved.

One important thing no one mentioned - make sure you're doing your work search requirements EVEN WHILE you still have the bartending job! You need to do at least 2 work search activities each week (applying to jobs, sending resumes, going to interviews, etc.) and keep records of them. If you don't, you could be disqualified. I learned this the hard way and lost 3 weeks of benefits because I thought I didn't need to job search until I was completely unemployed.

My cousin works at the unemployment office (not in PA though) and she says people get confused about multiple jobs all the time. The system is built to handle it. Just file based on your layoff and be honest about everything else. They'll figure out the right amount to pay you.

Don't forget that you'll need to have your official separation notice or something in writing from the company that laid you off. The UC office sometimes contacts employers to verify the reason for separation, and if there's any discrepancy they'll put your claim on hold with an "open issue" status that can take FOREVER to resolve. Ask HR for something in writing if you don't already have it!!!!

my sister had part time job when she filed and it wasnt a big deal. just be honest on ur application and weekly claims and ull be fine

To summarize what everyone's saying: 1) File now based on your full-time job layoff, 2) Report your part-time bartending job and its earnings both on your initial application and weekly claims, 3) Start doing and documenting your work search activities immediately (even while still bartending), 4) Have documentation ready from your employer about the layoff reason, and 5) If you have trouble reaching someone at UC, consider using a service to help you get through. Once both jobs end, you should receive your full weekly benefit amount as long as you continue meeting all eligibility requirements.