PA UC filing questions after company reorg - severance pay, dependent claims, and job separation reason help

I went through something similar back in February! Here's what I learned: 1. For dependents - you should only claim your spouse if they're financially dependent on you. Since your wife works, even part-time, she wouldn't qualify as your dependent for UC purposes. 2. File your claim NOW, don't wait! You need to report your severance, but waiting would just delay your benefits. PA has a specific way they handle severance - they'll calculate a "deduction period" based on your weekly benefit rate. During that period, you won't receive UC payments, but you'll still need to file weekly claims. 3. For the separation reason, select "Lack of Work" - that's the correct option for reorganizations/layoffs. Definitely don't use "terminated" as that suggests misconduct, which could trigger unnecessary investigations. Make sure you have your termination letter handy that mentions the reorganization. Upload it as supporting documentation if possible.

the system is TERRIBLE at explaining things!! when i got laid off last yr they denied me because i picked the wrong separation reason then it took 2 MONTHS to fix!!!! def pick lack of work like the other person said. also they changed the rules about severance like 2 years ago, they dont deduct it week by week anymore, they calculate some weird "deduction period" now where you cant get benefits. its SO FRUSTRATING

To address your specific questions: 1. Dependents: Your spouse would not qualify since they earn income. Only claim dependents who rely on your income entirely. 2. Severance reporting: Report it exactly as paid. If received as a lump sum, report it that way and indicate the period it covers (6 weeks). PA UC will calculate a deduction period using this formula: Severance amount ÷ your full-time weekly wage = number of weeks benefits are deferred. 3. Separation reason: "Lack of Work" is correct for reorganizations. Keep documentation of your layoff. Important: File immediately! Your benefit year begins the week you file, not when payments start. Even during the severance deduction period, you must file weekly claims to maintain eligibility. Also, remember PA requires active work search - you'll need to record at least two work search activities each week once you start filing weekly claims.

when i filed last yr i just put my hubby as dependent and nobody said anything so maybe just do it? extra $$ if they approve it lol

I had a nightmare trying to get through to PA UC when I had questions about my severance and claim status. Kept getting busy signals for weeks! Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video demo showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent clarified everything about my severance and fixed my claim status immediately. Definitely worth it since waiting for email responses was taking forever.

btw you should start applying for jobs right away even with severance. PA requires work search activities every week (min 2) and they can audit you later! Keep good records of where you apply

wait so if i get laid off and get severance do i have to wait till severance ends to get benefits?

Update: I filed my claim yesterday selecting "Lack of Work" as the reason, and it went through without any weird questions about disciplinary issues! I reported my severance as a lump sum payment and noted it covers 6 weeks. The system calculated my weekly benefit rate at $600 and said I'd have approximately a 14-week deduction period before payments would begin. Thank you all for the guidance - you saved me from making mistakes that might have delayed my claim. I'll keep filing weekly claims and documenting my job search activities in the meantime. This process is definitely not intuitive, so I appreciate the help!