PA UC waiting period confusion - when exactly can I file after my last work day?
Hi everyone, I'm about to file for PA unemployment and I'm confused about the waiting period. Do I really have to be out of work for a full week before filing? And I'm not clear how PA UC counts their weeks - if my last day of work was on a Wednesday, can I file the following Wednesday? Or do I need to wait until the end of PA's defined 'week'? I filed once about 5 years ago but honestly can't remember how it worked, and everything seems different now. Thanks for helping this confused person out!
19 comments
Join the conversation
Laila Fury
the waiting week is still a thing but u don't wait to file. u file right away after ur last day, then they make u wait a week before paying u. but the week isn't based on when u stop working its based on their calendar which runs sunday to saturday
0 coins
Hazel Garcia
AuthorOh that makes more sense! So I should file immediately even though I won't get paid for the first week? And their week is Sunday-Saturday regardless of when I stopped working?
0 coins
Geoff Richards
PA UC has very specific rules about this. Here's how it works: 1. You should file your initial claim immediately after your last day of work. Don't wait. 2. PA has a mandatory waiting week, which is the first week you're eligible. You won't get paid for this week, but you must file a weekly certification for it. 3. The UC week runs Sunday through Saturday. So if your last day was Wednesday, you'd file your initial claim right away, then on the following Sunday you can file your first weekly certification. 4. You'll get paid starting with your second week of eligibility (assuming you meet all requirements). Don't delay filing your initial claim - the longer you wait, the more benefits you potentially lose.
0 coins
Hazel Garcia
AuthorThank you for the clear explanation! So I should file my initial claim ASAP after my last day, then do the weekly claim starting the first Sunday after my last day? And I understand I won't get paid for that first week.
0 coins
Simon White
I just went thru this last month! The waiting week threw me off too. Basically PA makes you serve a waiting week but you gotta file ASAP. My last day was a Thursday and I filed Friday morning. Then the next week I had to do my first weekly certification even though I wouldn't get paid for it. It's annoying but that's how PA does it.
0 coins
Hugo Kass
Just to clarify an important point - the waiting week only applies once per benefit year. If you've already served a waiting week within the past 12 months and are filing a new claim (for example, if you went back to work briefly and are now unemployed again), you may not need to serve another waiting week. Always file immediately regardless!
0 coins
Nasira Ibanez
THEY DON'T TELL YOU THIS but if you wait to file you LOSE MONEY!!! I waited 3 weeks after my last day to file because I thought I'd find another job quickly and they wouldn't backdate my claim!!! So I lost out on 2 weeks of benefits (after the waiting week)!! FILE RIGHT AWAY no matter what!!!!!
0 coins
Khalil Urso
OMG same thing happened to my cousin. He thought he needed to wait until after the week was over to file and ended up missing out on like $1200! PA system is so confusing.
0 coins
Myles Regis
I recently helped my mom with her claim and we had trouble getting through to ask questions about the waiting week. We kept getting busy signals for days. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got us connected to a PA UC agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. The agent explained that you always file right away after your last day, but benefits start after the waiting week. Saved us from making mistakes on the claim.
0 coins
Simon White
I've heard about that service but never tried it. Did it actually work? I spent like 3 days trying to get through to someone about my waiting week question too.
0 coins
Myles Regis
Yeah, it actually worked better than I expected. Mom was skeptical too but we were desperate after trying for days. Got connected to someone who knew exactly how to handle her unique situation with the waiting week and partial work.
0 coins
Khalil Urso
wait i'm confused does the waiting week count if i'm still working but with reduced hours? i'm not totally unemployed yet but my hours got cut bad
0 coins
Geoff Richards
If you have reduced hours, you should still file right away. PA UC has partial benefit rules where you can receive some benefits if your hours/wages are reduced significantly. The waiting week still applies, but you need to report any earnings during your weekly certifications. If your earnings are below a certain threshold for your benefit amount, you can receive partial benefits.
0 coins
Hazel Garcia
Thanks everyone for the super helpful responses! I'm definitely going to file tomorrow (my last day was today). I'll make sure to do the Sunday weekly certification even though it's a waiting week and I won't get paid for it. Really appreciate all the advice - this community is amazing!
0 coins
Brian Downey
good luck! and don't forget to do the work search activities every week even during the waiting week! they make you do at least 2 per week and if u miss them they can deny ur benefits. i found out the hard way lol
0 coins
Hazel Garcia
AuthorOh! I didn't know about the work search requirements during the waiting week too! Thanks for the heads up - definitely don't want to mess that up.
0 coins
Hugo Kass
Just a final important note: Make sure you answer all questions accurately during the initial application. The system will ask about your last day worked, reason for separation, and other details. Being precise helps avoid delays with your claim. Also, set up your direct deposit or Money Network card information right away so when payments start after your waiting week, you'll receive them promptly. And yes, as mentioned above, you must complete and document at least 2 work search activities each week, including during your waiting week.
0 coins
Hazel Garcia
AuthorThank you! I'll make sure to have all my employment information ready and be super careful with the application. And I'll set up direct deposit right away. Definitely don't want any delays!
0 coins
Quinn Herbert
One more tip that helped me - download the PA UC mobile app if you haven't already. It makes filing your weekly certifications way easier than using the website, especially on Sundays when everyone is trying to file at once and the site gets slow. You can also check your claim status and payment history through the app. Just make sure you file your weekly certs by Saturday night to avoid any issues!
0 coins