PA UC weekly claim after job offer but before start date - can I still file?
So I just accepted a job offer on Thursday (yay finally!) but I don't actually start until Monday. I'm confused about my weekly claim for last week - do I report that I accepted a job offer when filing? If I say yes, will they ask for the date I accepted it? Or should I just wait until next week when I file for this week and then mention the new job? I don't want to mess anything up and get hit with an overpayment later. Has anyone dealt with this situation before?
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Leo Simmons
You should absolutely report that you accepted a job offer. PA UC asks if you refused work (which you didn't) and if you had earnings for the week (which you didn't). The system doesn't specifically ask when you accepted a job offer - it's more focused on whether you actually worked and earned money during the claim week. Since you haven't started working yet, you should be eligible for benefits for last week.
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Lilly Curtis
AuthorThank you! I was so worried about getting this wrong and having problems later. So I just file normally since I didn't actually WORK last week, even though I accepted the offer?
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Lindsey Fry
congrats on the new job!! i was in this exact situation last month. you're fine to claim for the week before you start working. they only care about actual work hours and earnings, not job offers.
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Lilly Curtis
AuthorThank you!! That's such a relief to hear. I was really stressing about this!
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Saleem Vaziri
BE CAREFUL! PA UC is super picky about reporting EVERYTHING. When I got my job last year I reported the acceptance date AND my start date just to make sure I didn't get in trouble. Better safe than sorry with these people!!! They'll come after you for overpayments months later and it's a NIGHTMARE to fix!!
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Kayla Morgan
While it's good to be cautious, the weekly certification questions specifically ask about work and earnings, not job offers. The system is designed to pay benefits until you actually start working. As long as you accurately report your first day of work on your next certification, you'll be fine.
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James Maki
Quick question - does anyone know if job search requirements change once you've accepted a job but haven't started yet? Do I still need to apply to places this week?
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Leo Simmons
Yes, you still need to complete your work search activities until you actually start working. PA requires you to perform at least two work search activities each week you claim benefits, even if you've accepted a job but haven't started yet.
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Jasmine Hancock
Not to hijack this thread, but I've been trying to reach PA UC for THREE DAYS to ask this exact question and can't get through. Always busy signals or disconnects after waiting forever. Has anyone used that Claimyr service? I saw it mentioned on another thread - something about getting you through to a real person? Their site is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2
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Cole Roush
I used it last month when I had an open issue that wouldn't resolve. It actually worked - got me through to an agent in about 30 mins after trying on my own for like a week. Saved me so much stress.
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Kayla Morgan
To summarize for anyone else in this situation: 1. You CAN and SHOULD file for the week before you start working, even if you accepted a job offer during that week 2. You only report work and earnings once you actually START the job 3. You must continue doing your work search activities until your first day of work 4. On the week you start working, you'll report your hours and earnings 5. If you earned more than your weekly benefit amount in your first work week, that will be your last eligible week Congratulations on the new job!
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Lilly Curtis
AuthorThis is so helpful! Thanks for breaking it down so clearly. I'll go ahead and file for last week normally, then report my work hours when I file next week for the current week.
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Maya Lewis
Just wanted to add my experience - I was in a similar situation a few months ago and filed for the week between accepting the offer and starting work. No issues at all! The key thing to remember is that PA UC really does focus on actual work performed and wages earned during the claim week. Since you hadn't started working yet, you're still eligible for that week's benefits. Just make sure when you file next week (after you've started) that you accurately report your work hours and earnings. Good luck with the new job!
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