PA UC job search form UC-304 vs. CareerLink - Which method is correct for RESEA?
I'm totally confused about how I'm supposed to track my work search activities for PA unemployment. I got selected for RESEA and they mentioned something about using a UC-304 form to document job applications, but I've been recording everything through CareerLink like I thought we were supposed to. Are these two different systems? Do I need to be using both? I can't find this UC-304 form anywhere on the PA UC website. Will I get in trouble for only using CareerLink to track my job search? Anyone dealt with this RESEA thing before?
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Lincoln Ramiro
ur fine just using careerlink. thats what i do. nobody ever asked me for any uc-304 form and i had resea too last month
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Henrietta Beasley
AuthorThanks for the quick response! Did they verify your CareerLink entries during your RESEA interview? I'm nervous about messing this up and losing benefits.
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Faith Kingston
The UC-304 is an older paper form that some career advisors still reference, but PA UC has been transitioning everything to the online system. CareerLink is the preferred method now. You should print your CareerLink work search records before your RESEA interview though - they will want to review them. Here's the official guidance: You need to complete at least 2 work search activities per week (applying for jobs, attending job fairs, creating a resume, etc) and record them. CareerLink is the CORRECT way to do this in 2025.
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Henrietta Beasley
AuthorThank you so much! This makes me feel a lot better. I'll definitely print my CareerLink records before the interview. Do you know if they're strict about exactly when the activities were completed each week?
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Emma Johnson
I had my RESEA last week and they were pretty chill about the whole thing. Just make sure you have SOMETHING to show them. The guy I talked to just glanced at my job search list for like 10 seconds lol
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Liam Brown
The UC-304 form is available here: https://www.uc.pa.gov/Documents/UC_Forms/UC-304.pdf But honestly, as long as you're tracking your work search activities somewhere, you should be fine. CareerLink is actually BETTER because it's all electronic and linked to your claim. During RESEA they're mainly checking that you're actively searching for work, not which form you used. Being selected for RESEA doesn't mean you did anything wrong - it's random selection. Just bring documentation of your job searches and you'll be fine.
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Henrietta Beasley
AuthorThanks for the link! I'll take a look at it. I'm doing everything right but just get nervous about these official things. My RESEA is scheduled for next Tuesday so I want to be prepared.
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Olivia Garcia
I HATE how they keep changing things!!! When I was on UC in 2023 they made me use that stupid paper form and now they want everyone on CareerLink??? The whole system is designed to trip people up and deny benefits. I bet half the people who get disqualified just filled out the wrong form or couldn't figure out how to use the website. SMH
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Noah Lee
^^^ This. I got disqualified last year becuase I didnt know we had to do work search AT ALL until my 3rd week. Nobody tells you anything!
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Ava Hernandez
If you're having trouble reaching someone at unemployment to clarify this, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last month - confused about work search requirements and couldn't get anyone on the phone after trying for days. Used their service and got through to a real person at PA UC in 20 minutes who explained everything. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2
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Henrietta Beasley
AuthorOh that's good to know! I've been trying to call them but it's always busy. I'll check this out if I can't get answers at my RESEA appointment. Thank you!
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Lincoln Ramiro
i used this too when my payments got stuck in january. works good but wish the regular phone system wasnt so broken
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Liam Brown
Just to be 100% clear for anyone reading this thread: 1. CareerLink is the PREFERRED method for tracking work search in PA as of 2025 2. The UC-304 form is acceptable but not required if you use CareerLink 3. You need at least 2 work search activities per week 4. Print or have electronic access to your work search records for RESEA 5. RESEA is random selection, not because you did anything wrong This information comes directly from my career advisor who works with PA UC daily.
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Emma Johnson
This is super helpful - thanks for laying it out so clearly!
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Henrietta Beasley
AuthorThank you for this clear summary! This thread has been really helpful. I feel much more prepared for my RESEA meeting now.
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Toot-n-Mighty
I'm new to this community and just got selected for RESEA too! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I was panicking thinking I needed to find this UC-304 form that nobody seemed to know about. I've been using CareerLink religiously to track my job applications but wasn't sure if that was enough. Reading everyone's experiences here has really put my mind at ease. It's so frustrating how unclear the system can be sometimes, but I'm grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other out. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge!
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