PA UC running out at week 26 - confused about final week and possible EB eligibility

Regular UC benefits in Pennsylvania are limited to 26 weeks maximum within your benefit year, regardless of your remaining balance. When your 26 weeks are up, that's it - even if you have money left in your account. The system is designed this way. Regarding Extended Benefits (EB), these are only available during periods of high unemployment as determined by federal and state guidelines. As of 2025, EB is NOT currently available in Pennsylvania since our unemployment rate doesn't meet the threshold to trigger them. Your friend might be confusing this with the pandemic-era extensions, which ended years ago. You should start receiving notices about your benefits exhaustion soon. Make sure you're registered with PA CareerLink and actively applying for jobs to meet the work search requirements until your final week.

im in the EXACT same boat!!! hit my 26 weeks last month and had almost $1800 still in my balance but they cut me off anyway. tried calling like 50 times to ask if i could get the rest of MY MONEY but couldnt get thru. the whole system is rigged against us!!!! 😡 my cousin said something about trade adjustment assistance if your job went overseas but that probably doesnt help you.

Sorry you're going through this stress! Just so you know, I just finished my 26 weeks too. The remaining balance thing confused me as well.

Everyone telling you there's no EB right now is correct, but I want to add something IMPORTANT that many people don't realize. Even though your regular benefits are ending, you MUST file for that final week if you're eligible! Some people give up when they hear they're at the end and don't bother filing their last claim. Don't leave money on the table! Also, depending on your financial situation, look into: 1. SNAP benefits (food assistance) 2. LIHEAP (heating assistance program) 3. PA Rental Assistance if your county offers it And make sure your work search activities are properly documented for that final week. The system sometimes flags last claims for review.

To answer your new question: If you find part-time work and then get laid off again before your benefit year ends in September, your situation will depend on a few factors: 1. If you work enough to establish a new financial base period (basically earning enough over a new qualifying period), you might be eligible for a new claim when you're laid off again. 2. If you don't earn enough for a new claim but still have weeks remaining in your current benefit year, you may be able to reopen your existing claim IF you haven't used all 26 weeks. 3. Remember that working part-time while on UC might reduce your weekly benefit amount, but it extends how long your benefits last since you're not using a full week each time. The PA UC system will determine if you qualify for a new claim or can reopen an existing one when you file again after the new job loss.

my benefits ended after 26 weeks too and i had like $2300 left in my balance. it's so frustrating! i think they do that on purpose to make the numbers look better.

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I called CareerLink today and they confirmed there's no EB available right now. They suggested I focus on the PA RESEA program which might help with job search resources. I also looked into those other assistance programs mentioned. I'm going to file for SNAP tomorrow and see about the rental assistance. It's still frustrating to see money left in my account that I can't access, but at least I understand the system better now. Guess I'll be taking any job I can get at this point just to keep afloat.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I hit my 26-week limit last month and was also confused about the remaining balance. What helped me was actually going to my local CareerLink office in person rather than trying to call. The staff there were much more helpful and walked me through exactly what happens after benefits end. They also signed me up for some job training programs that I didn't even know existed. For immediate help with expenses, definitely apply for SNAP like others mentioned. I also found out about emergency assistance through my county's social services office - they helped with a utility bill when I was really struggling. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning off UC. The job market is tough right now but don't give up! I ended up finding something through a temp agency that turned into a permanent position. It's not exactly what I was doing before, but it's keeping me afloat while I figure out my next move. Hang in there - you're not alone in this!

I just wanted to jump in with some encouragement - I was in your exact shoes about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels when you're approaching that 26-week cliff. The stress is real! A few things that helped me through that transition: 1. Don't wait until your last week to start applying for other assistance programs. I wish I had applied for SNAP and looked into emergency rental assistance sooner rather than waiting until I was completely panicked. 2. Check if your local library has career services - mine offered free resume reviews and even had computers set up specifically for job searching. Some also have partnerships with employment agencies. 3. Consider gig work as a bridge - I did DoorDash and Instacart for a few weeks which wasn't great money but it kept some cash flowing while I job hunted. Just make sure to report any earnings if you're still claiming UC. The whole "leftover balance" thing drove me crazy too, but everyone here is right - that money was never really guaranteed to you, it was just the maximum possible benefit. Still frustrating though! You'll get through this. The fact that you're asking questions and planning ahead shows you're being smart about it. Good luck with your job search!