PA UC work search rules confusion - didn't track in CareerLink but have proof

omg i think ur fine i was on UC last yr and never put anything in careerlink either. still got all my $$

YOU ARE NOT FINE!!!! PA UC requires you to record work search activities EVERY WEEK in your dashboard! This is CLEARLY explained when you apply. They can and WILL make you pay everything back if audited - happened to my brother-in-law last year and he's still paying off $8000!!! The system is DESIGNED to trick people like this!!

You should definitely start recording your work search activities in PA CareerLink immediately. According to PA UC rules, you must both conduct AND record your work search activities each week. However, I wouldn't panic completely. What matters most is that you have been doing the required work search activities (minimum of 2 per week), and you mentioned you have documentation. Here's what you should do: 1. Start properly recording your activities in CareerLink right away 2. Organize all your evidence (emails, screenshots, etc.) by week 3. If you're audited, provide this evidence promptly PA UC is primarily concerned that you're actively seeking work. The record-keeping requirement is important, but having proof of the actual activities is your best defense if questioned.

I had a similar situation last year. I kept all my job search emails but didn't record them in CareerLink. When I realized my mistake (about 8 weeks in), I called UC to ask what to do. Waited on hold for 3 hours and never got through. Eventually I just started recording properly going forward and never heard anything about the past weeks.

I tried calling PA UC for three days straight about a similar issue and couldnt get through AT ALL. Busy signals or disconnected every time. Then I found this service called Claimyr that got me connected to an actual UC agent in about 20 minutes! Cost some money but worth every penny because the agent told me exactly what to do about my missed work search logs. You can see how it works at claimyr.com or check their video at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Seriously saved me so much stress.

why does PA make everything so complicated?? the website is from like 1995 lol

To clarify a technical point about PA UC work search requirements: You need to perform at least two work search activities per week and record them. However, while using PA CareerLink is recommended for tracking, it's not the only acceptable method. The key requirement is that you maintain records of your work search activities. From the PA UC handbook: "You may use any method you choose to record your work search activities, including PA CareerLink®. However, you are required to produce this record if requested to do so by the department." Since you have documentation of your applications, focus on organizing these records by claim week. Start using CareerLink for current and future weeks. If you receive an audit notice, promptly provide your evidence and explain that you were conducting the required searches but weren't aware of the specific recording method.

just start using careerlink now, they rarely do audits unless u answer something wrong on weekly claims

This reminds me of when my benefit year ended and I had to file a new application but nobody told me. I missed 3 weeks of payments before figuring it out. The whole system assumes everyone already knows how everything works!

Just an update on the work search requirements: As of 2025, PA UC requires: 1. A minimum of two work search activities per week 2. These activities must be recorded and presented if requested 3. At least one of your weekly work search activities must be an application for employment While PA CareerLink is the recommended tracking system, having your own documented proof meets the legal requirement of maintaining records. Going forward, I recommend using both methods - log in CareerLink and keep your own records as backup. That provides the strongest protection against any potential issues during an audit.

I went through something very similar last year! I was about 10 weeks into my claim when I realized I wasn't logging my job searches in CareerLink properly. Like you, I had been doing the actual work searches and saving all my application confirmations, just not recording them in the right system. Here's what I did and what happened: 1. Immediately started using CareerLink for all future job searches 2. Created a detailed spreadsheet of all my previous applications with dates, company names, and screenshots 3. Never got audited, but I was prepared with my documentation just in case The good news is that you've been doing the actual work search activities, which is what really matters. The documentation requirement exists so you can prove you were actively looking for work. Since you have emails and screenshots, you're in a much better position than someone who wasn't searching at all. My advice: Start using CareerLink today for all new applications, organize your existing proof by claim week, and don't stress too much about the past weeks. Most audits happen when people answer "no" to work search questions or when there are other red flags in their claim history.

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Been on UC for about 12 weeks now and just found out from a coworker that I should have been logging everything in CareerLink. I've been applying to 4-5 jobs every week and have all my confirmation emails saved in a folder, but never put anything in the system. Reading through these responses is making me feel so much better - especially hearing from people who went through the same thing and never got audited. I'm going to start using CareerLink immediately and organize all my past applications by week like others suggested. It's crazy how they don't make this stuff clearer when you first apply! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences.