PA UC seasonal worker question - CareerLink registration from NJ and job search requirements
Hey everyone, I'm confused about my seasonal PA unemployment claim requirements. I live in New Jersey but my employer is in Pennsylvania. I've been laid off for winter (construction industry) and have a definite return date in spring. I registered on the CareerLink website already but was told I need to physically go to a CareerLink office? Is that true even though I don't live in PA? Also not sure about the job search requirements - do I still need to apply for jobs and upload proof even with my guaranteed return date? Someone said my benefits would be terminated if I don't register at an actual CareerLink location. This is my first time dealing with PA unemployment and I'm stressed about making a mistake that could cost me my benefits during these winter months. Any guidance would be super appreciated!
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Savanna Franklin
If you already registered on the PA CareerLink website, you've met the registration requirement! You don't need to physically visit an office, especially since you're out-of-state. But keep that confirmation email or screenshot your registration as proof. Regarding job search: Even with a return date, PA UC still requires you to complete and document your weekly work search activities (minimum 2 per week). You'll need to record these when you file your biweekly claims. The system will occasionally prompt you to provide detailed information about your work search activities, so keep good records. Since you're seasonal with a return date, applying to jobs in your field counts, but so do other activities like working on your resume or attending online workshops through CareerLink. Just make sure you're doing something you can document each week.
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Sergio Neal
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief about not having to physically go to a PA office. I'll definitely take a screenshot of my registration as proof. For the work search activities, do you know exactly where I upload that information? Is it part of the biweekly claim filing process or somewhere else in the system? And will my return-to-work date be taken into consideration at all?
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Juan Moreno
u dont need 2 go to an actual office thats old info from b4 they had good online systems. just make sure u print the confirmation page after u register online. i did mine all online 2 years ago and nevr went to an office
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Amy Fleming
•That's not entirely accurate. The rules changed multiple times over the past few years. It's still best to follow current guidelines which can vary by claim type. While the online registration is generally sufficient now, seasonal work with a return date does have specific requirements that differ from standard unemployment claims. Always best to verify current policies for your specific situation.
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Alice Pierce
I went through EXACTLY this last year - NJ resident working for PA company on seasonal layoff. Here's what I actually had to do: 1) Registered on PA CareerLink website (print confirmation!!) 2) Still had to do work search even with return date 3) You don't record details every week - the system randomly asks you to provide details about specific weeks 4) IMPORTANT: When filing biweekly claims, there's a question asking if you're on standby for return within 6 weeks - answer properly based on your return timeframe Also, make sure your employer filed the proper paperwork confirming your return date. Otherwise the system might flag your claim for review.
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Sergio Neal
•Thanks for sharing your experience! This is really helpful. My return date is about 10 weeks from now, so sounds like I should answer "no" to that standby question? I'll check with my employer to make sure they submitted the proper return date paperwork. Did you find that your benefits processed smoothly or did you run into issues?
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Esteban Tate
I had this EXACT problem and wasted SIX HOURS trying to get answers from someone at PA UC!!! System kept saying my benefits would be terminated but nobody would answer phones!!! FURSTRATING!!!!
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Ivanna St. Pierre
•If you're still struggling to reach someone at PA UC, you might want to try Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that helps you get through to an actual agent instead of dealing with busy signals all day. Their video demo shows how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 I used it when I had issues with my seasonal claim last year and actually got through to someone who could help me. Saved me days of frustration trying to reach someone on my own.
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Elin Robinson
Most people I know just register online and don't bother with the job search stuff if they have a return date. Never heard of anyone getting in trouble for it. System is too backed up to check everyone.
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Savanna Franklin
•This is actually dangerous advice. PA UC has been cracking down on work search compliance. They do random audits and if selected, you'll need to provide proof of your activities. If you can't, you could be disqualified and forced to repay benefits. The system flags claims for audit based on various triggers, and it's not worth risking your benefits over something as simple as documenting two work search activities weekly.
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Sergio Neal
Update: I called my employer and confirmed they submitted the seasonal layoff paperwork with my return date. I also found the work search log section in my dashboard where I can record my weekly activities. Thanks everyone for the help! Still wish PA made this clearer for out-of-state residents.
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Alice Pierce
•Glad you got it figured out! One last tip - take screenshots of everything you submit online. PA's system sometimes glitches and loses information. I learned that the hard way when they claimed I hadn't submitted something I definitely had. Having screenshots saved me from a huge headache later.
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Amy Fleming
To clarify on the work search requirements specifically for seasonal workers with return dates: PA UC regulations still require the weekly work search activities, but you can include activities related to maintaining professional certifications or skills for your return position. You must record these in your work search log, which you access through your dashboard. The system will prompt you at random intervals (usually every 4-6 weeks) to provide more detailed information about specific activities. Keep detailed records including dates, contact information, and action taken for each activity. While having a return date doesn't exempt you from work search requirements, you can tailor your activities to be relevant to maintaining qualifications for your return position. This is particularly important for construction and other trades where certifications or continuing education may be required.
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Juan Moreno
•wait so if im taking a online safty course for my job while im laid off that counts as a werk search activity??? nobody ever told me that!!
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Sergio Neal
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I've registered on CareerLink, confirmed my employer submitted the proper paperwork, and set up a system to track my work search activities each week. This community has been incredibly helpful - much clearer than the official instructions from PA UC!
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Savanna Franklin
•You're welcome! Glad we could help. Just remember to keep up with those biweekly filings - even missing one can cause your claim to lapse. Best of luck, and feel free to come back if you run into any other issues!
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Paolo Longo
Just wanted to add something for other seasonal workers who might find this thread - if you're in construction like Sergio, make sure to check if your union (if you're in one) offers any online training or workshops during the off-season. These definitely count as work search activities and can help you stay current with industry standards while you're laid off. Also, PA CareerLink has some really good free online courses for construction trades that count toward your work search requirements. I did a few OSHA refresher courses through their platform last winter and it was actually pretty useful when I went back to work. Way better than just applying to random jobs you know you won't take!
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