PA UC with part-time contract work - claim now or wait until contract ends?

You should file right away, even with the part-time contract work. Here's why: 1) The sooner you establish your benefit year, the better - your weekly benefit amount is based on your previous full-time employment, not your current part-time work 2) When working part-time, PA UC uses a partial benefit credit formula - you can earn up to 30% of your weekly benefit amount without reduction, then they deduct dollar for dollar after that 3) Your benefit year lasts for 52 weeks regardless, so filing now doesn't shorten your eligibility period 4) Your "bank of money" (benefit balance) will drain more slowly with partial benefits than full benefits Just make sure you accurately report your part-time earnings each week when filing your weekly claims. And yes, you'll still need to complete and record your work search activities (minimum 2 per week) even while working part-time.

when i had partial last year they made me wait till my severance was all used up b4 i could get any benefits. annoying af but idk if rules changed for 2025

I worked as a PA UC claims examiner for 10 years. Here's the accurate information: 1. File immediately. Your benefit year starts when you file, and you have 52 weeks to collect your maximum benefit amount. 2. Severance will likely delay your benefits. PA considers lump-sum severance as wages allocated to the weeks following your separation. They'll calculate how many weeks your severance covers by dividing the amount by your full-time weekly wage. 3. During this "severance period," you'll be ineligible for benefits, but you should still file weekly claims to preserve your claim. 4. Once your severance period ends, you'll start receiving partial benefits based on your part-time earnings. 5. Partial benefits are calculated by subtracting 30% of your weekly benefit amount from your part-time earnings, then subtracting that result from your weekly benefit amount. 6. Yes, you must complete 2 work search activities each week, even during the severance period and while working part-time. The benefit is your "bank" will last longer with partial benefits than if you were collecting full benefits.

I just went thru this exact situation!!! File NOW dont wait. Even if u have to wait for benefits to start because of severance atleast ur benefit year will be established and ur in the system. i waited 2 months after my contract job ended to file and they said my base year was different and i got less money per week than i shouldve!!! dont make my mistake

Anyone else notice how impossible it is to actually TALK to someone at PA UC when you have questions like this? I tried for WEEKS to get through on the phone lines just to ask a simple question about my partial benefits. Always busy signals or disconnects! So frustrating when you're just trying to follow their confusing rules.

u still have to look for work even w/ that contract job. PA requires 2 work search activities every week no matter what. dont forget or they'll stop ur benefits!

The PA UC system discriminates against older workers! I'm 65 and had the exact same situation last year. They expect us to be applying to all these jobs when most companies take one look at our age and toss our applications. I did everything right - filed weekly claims, reported all my part-time income correctly, did all the stupid work searches - and they STILL found a way to disqualify me for three weeks over some technicality. You have to document EVERYTHING and be prepared to fight for what you deserve!

To clarify a few points that have been raised: 1. Age discrimination in hiring is illegal, but I understand the practical concerns. 2. For your specific situation with the $8,500 severance and $950 weekly wage, yes, that's approximately 9 weeks before benefits would start. 3. During those 9 weeks, you MUST file your weekly claims and report your part-time earnings, even though you won't receive benefits. This preserves your claim. 4. After the severance period, with part-time work at $18/hr for 15-20 hours weekly (about $270-$360/week), you'll likely receive partial benefits. 5. The base year is critical - it's the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file. Waiting too long can indeed change your base year and potentially lower your weekly benefit amount. I'd recommend filing online at www.uc.pa.gov right away to get the process started.

One more thing - make sure you keep detailed records of all your work search activities. PA requires you to keep these records for two years, and they do random audits. For each work search activity, document: - Date of the activity - Type of activity (application, interview, job fair, etc.) - Company name and contact info - Position applied for - Result (if any) This is especially important while receiving partial benefits. Many people get caught up in the partial work and forget to keep up with their work searches, which can lead to benefit denials.

Yes, attending networking events specifically focused on employment opportunities does count as a work search activity in PA. The senior job networking group would qualify. Regarding your severance agreement, you should have it ready during your initial application. There will be questions about severance during the application process, and you may need to provide the agreement either during the initial filing or shortly after. Remember that even though you're 68, you're still eligible for your full benefit entitlement. Your claim isn't affected by your age, only by your work history, earnings, and current part-time income.