PA UC stopped benefits due to job search - how to link CareerLink activities to my unemployment claim?

CareerLink and UC are seperate systems!!! They are NOT automatically connected like they SHOULD BE. You need to manually enter your work searches when you file your weekly claim. Go to your dashboard and click on "File Weekly Certification" and you'll see a section where you enter job search activities. Don't assume that just because you did them in CareerLink that UC knows about it!!!

Just went through this exact nightmare in January. Unfortunately, PA's systems don't talk to each other properly. Here's what you need to do: 1. When you file your weekly certification, there's a section specifically for recording work search activities. You need to enter at least 2 per week. 2. For each activity, you need the employer name, date of contact, position applied for, and contact method (online, phone, etc). 3. Keep detailed records of all your searches (screenshots or a spreadsheet) in case they ask for verification later. Moving forward, do this every week without fail. For your missed weeks, you might be able to file appeals to get those payments, but you'll need evidence of your job searches during those periods.

Anyone else find it RIDICULOUS that in 2025 these systems aren't connected automatically?? We're required to use CareerLink by law but then also required to manually copy everything over? This is just another way they try to disqualify people and save money. I bet thousands of people lose benefits over this technical nonsense every year.

I work at an employment agency and see this issue constantly. To clarify a few things: 1. You're right that they SHOULD be connected systems, but they aren't. PA UC and PA CareerLink use completely separate databases. 2. For your current situation: You'll need to contact UC to explain and potentially file appeals for any weeks you were disqualified. You'll need evidence of your job searches (screenshots from CareerLink showing application dates). 3. Moving forward: During weekly certification, you MUST manually enter at least 2 job search activities. They must include employer name, position, date, method of contact, and outcome if any. 4. Important tip: The work search section comes AFTER the earnings questions when filing weekly claims. Many people miss it because they think they're done after reporting earnings. Good luck and don't give up! This is fixable if you have records of your job searches.

When i had this problem in February i was ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET THROUGH to unemployment!! After trying for 2 weeks straight with constant busy signals I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a PA UC rep within 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 I was skeptical but desperate and it actually worked. The rep helped me get my missed payments by showing them my job search proof. Definitely worth it since i was missing $1200 in payments!

Here's what you should do specifically to fix this situation: 1. Gather all evidence of your job searches (screenshots from CareerLink showing dates, employer names, positions) 2. Contact UC directly to explain the misunderstanding (calling is best but extremely difficult) 3. Request retroactive credit for your work search activities 4. Ask for your claim to be reactivated 5. Make sure to properly record ALL job search activities during weekly certifications going forward Keep in mind that you need 2 work search activities plus 1 work search contact per week minimum. A work search activity can include creating a resume, taking a workshop, etc. A work search contact means actually applying for a position.

same thing happened 2 me last month!! so annoying!! when u do your weekly claim there's literally a whole section for job search that u gotta fill out and if u miss it they cut u off! i got mine fixed by calling and explaining i didn't understand the process. took like 3 weeks but they eventually paid me for the missed weeks.

To add to all this - take screenshots of EVERYTHING you submit on both systems. PA UC has "lost" my job search records twice now even after I properly entered them. If you don't have proof, you're just out of luck. The system is designed to make you give up.

One more bit of advice: After you get this sorted, double-check your dashboard after each weekly certification to confirm your work search activities were properly recorded. Sometimes the system glitches and doesn't save entries even when you enter them correctly. If you see this happen, take a screenshot and call immediately rather than waiting for your benefits to be affected. Also, since you've had a disruption in benefits, watch for a message about scheduling a mandatory reemployment session. These are often triggered when there's a work search issue, and missing one will definitely stop your benefits again.

Honestly this is why I just apply to jobs directly thru indeed and linkedin instead of careerlink. Easier to track and screenshot everything. Careerlink is so clunky its like they designed it in 2005 and never updated it lol