PA UC job search requirements changing when callback date expires - need help for older worker

You're right to be concerned about this. PA UC definitely has different rules for those with employer-provided recall dates. While your callback date is active, you're exempt from the weekly work search activities. But once that date passes (or if the employer extends it beyond 12 weeks), you'll need to start completing and documenting your work search activities - which is indeed 3 per week. Make sure to document them in your UC portal when you do your weekly certifications. The good news is that 'work search activities' doesn't necessarily mean just job applications - it can include things like updating your resume, attending job fairs, or networking events too.

This whole callback date system is GARBAGE! I had the same thing happen last year - kept getting promised callbacks that never materialized. Then suddenly I got a letter saying I was in overpayment status because I hadn't been doing work search!!! No warning, no notification, NOTHING from PA UC. Just suddenly owed $4,200 back! Fight this and start your job search NOW, don't trust your employer or UC to look out for you.

i got laid off after 12 yrs and had callback too, got extended twice. pretty sure its 3 work search things each week when callback ends. u can count stuff like putting your resume on indeed as one of them. also going to career center counts. dont worry about ur age i was 55 when i had to start over

When I was on UC earlier this year, I learned that if you have a definite return to work date within 12 weeks, you don't need to do work search activities. But if that date gets pushed out beyond 12 weeks, or if it expires, you need to start doing your work search immediately. Here's what counts toward your 3 weekly activities: - Applying for positions - Attending job fairs - Creating profiles on job search websites - Taking a civil service test - Job development appointments Make sure to record these in your weekly certifications. And don't forget to answer "Yes" to the question about being able and available for work when filing your weekly claims.

I know the feeling! It's SO SCARY having to look for work again! I'm in my 40s and was terrified. One thing that helped me was going to the PA CareerLink workshops. They're free and they help with resumes and interview practice. That counts as a work search activity too!!! Good luck!!!

I was in a similar situation last year and spent weeks trying to get through to PA UC to ask about the callback date rules. Kept getting busy signals and disconnections until I discovered Claimyr. It's a service that basically holds your place in the UC phone queue and calls you when an agent is available. I was skeptical but tried their video demo (https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2) and it actually worked! Got through to an agent who explained exactly what I needed to do when my callback date passed. Check out claimyr.com if you're having trouble reaching someone - so much better than redialing for hours.

The job search requirement is DEFINITELY 3 activities per week once your recall date expires or exceeds the maximum period. I just went through this. Make sure you're tracking EVERYTHING in detail - date, company name, position, contact info, method of application, etc. PA UC has been conducting more audits lately and requesting proof of work search. Missing documentation could result in having to repay benefits. And be careful with those monthly UC surveys they send - always open and respond to them or they can suspend your benefits while "investigating" whether you're still eligible.

my theory is these companies keep stringing us along with fake callback dates so they don't have to pay severance or give benefits. my "callback date" got pushed 4 times before they finally admitted the plant was closing permanently. meanwhile the CEO probably got a fat bonus for cutting costs. the whole system is rigged against workers.

update on my situation: i didnt get called back and had to find new job. took 3 months and lots of rejections. ended up making less $ but its stable. just keep applying everywhere even places u dont think ud want. better to have options. age discrimination is real but some places actually like older workers cuz we show up on time lol

I'm going through something similar right now - 15 years at my company and got laid off in December with a callback date that keeps getting pushed. Reading everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! One thing I learned from calling PA UC (took forever to get through) is that they recommend starting to prepare for job searching even while you still have a callback date, just in case. They told me to at least update my resume and start looking at what's available in my field. That way if the callback date expires, you're not starting from zero. Also, regarding age discrimination - I've heard that focusing on your skills and recent accomplishments rather than listing every job from the past 30 years can help. We're all in this together!

I'm dealing with this exact situation too! Got laid off from my retail management job in November after 8 years, with a callback date that's been pushed twice now. What really helped me was calling PA CareerLink directly - they walked me through the transition process and explained that you have to start work search activities the week AFTER your callback date officially expires. They also told me that registering with PA CareerLink itself counts as one of your weekly activities, and they have job matching services that can help. The hardest part for me has been updating my LinkedIn profile after so many years - but even that counts toward your work search requirements! Don't panic about the age thing - I've noticed a lot of employers actually value experience and reliability over youth these days, especially in manufacturing.

I've been through this exact situation and want to share what I learned. When your callback date expires, you need to start work search activities immediately - there's no grace period. The 3 per week requirement kicks in right away. Here's what helped me: 1) Start preparing NOW even before your date expires - update your resume, create accounts on job sites, research companies in your area. 2) Keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - I use a simple spreadsheet with date, company, position, contact method, and confirmation numbers. 3) For us older workers, focus on your skills and recent achievements rather than listing every job since the 80s. 4) Don't underestimate your value - many employers actually prefer experienced, reliable workers who won't job-hop. The transition is scary but you've got this! Also, definitely call PA CareerLink - they have resources specifically for displaced workers and can walk you through everything step by step.

I'm so glad I found this thread - I'm in almost the exact same boat! 26 years at a steel fabrication plant, laid off in October with a callback date that's been pushed three times now. Like you, I'm 57 and the thought of interviewing again is absolutely terrifying. What's been helping me cope is realizing that we're not alone in this - so many experienced workers are dealing with these fake callback dates. I started attending some of the virtual PA CareerLink workshops (thanks to whoever mentioned those!) and honestly, just being around other people in similar situations has been really reassuring. The facilitators keep emphasizing that our decades of experience are actually valuable - we have work ethic, reliability, and institutional knowledge that younger workers don't. I'm still hoping my company calls me back, but I'm slowly starting to accept that I need to prepare for the possibility they won't. Hang in there - we've survived decades in tough industries, we can get through this transition too!

Reading through all these experiences has been both eye-opening and reassuring - I had no idea so many people were dealing with the same callback date runaround! I'm 52 and was laid off from my packaging plant job after 19 years, with a callback that's been pushed twice already. What's really helped me is starting to think of this as a forced career opportunity rather than just a setback. I know that sounds overly optimistic, but hear me out - after nearly two decades at the same place, I'd gotten comfortable (maybe too comfortable) and hadn't kept up with what else was out there. Now I'm discovering there are actually quite a few companies in our area looking for experienced workers, especially in logistics and manufacturing support roles. The PA CareerLink folks have been great at helping me identify skills I didn't even realize were marketable. My advice: don't wait for that callback date to expire before you start exploring. Even if your company does call you back, having a better sense of your options and market value can only help you. And for what it's worth, I've found that most employers are actually impressed by long tenure - it shows loyalty and commitment, not stagnation.