Quit new job due to physical limitations - Can I still claim my remaining 8 weeks of PA UC benefits?
I was on unemployment for about 5 months and had roughly 8 weeks of benefits left when I finally found work. Started the job two weeks ago at a warehouse loading trucks. The problem is I severely underestimated how physically demanding it would be. I've got an old back injury that flared up badly, and after trying to push through it, I realized I just can't do this type of work. I had to quit yesterday because I physically can't perform the job duties. My question is - can I go back to claiming the remaining weeks on my PA UC benefits? Or does quitting automatically disqualify me even though it was for health reasons? I didn't think to get a doctor's note before quitting which was probably stupid. Has anyone dealt with something similar? Money is getting tight real quick.
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Santiago Martinez
Your basically screwed. PA UC HATES when people quit jobs, theyll say you should've tried another position with the company or gotten a doctors note BEFORE quitting. My cousin went through this exact same thing last year and they denied him completely.
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Natalie Chen
•Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. I honestly didn't even think about asking for another position because it's a small operation and loading/unloading was the only job they were hiring for. You think it's even worth trying to file or am I just wasting my time?
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Samantha Johnson
It's not automatic disqualification, but you'll need to prove you had a necessitous and compelling reason to quit. For medical reasons, PA UC typically requires: 1. Medical documentation showing you couldn't do the job 2. Evidence you informed employer about the medical issue 3. Proof you tried to preserve employment (accommodation requests, etc.) File your claim and be prepared to explain the medical situation. Get that doctor's note now retroactively documenting your condition even though it's after quitting. When you file, make it very clear this was a medical necessity situation, not just job dissatisfaction.
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Natalie Chen
•Thank you so much for this detailed response! I'll call my doctor today and see if he can write something up about my back injury and limitations. I did tell my supervisor about my back problems verbally, but I don't have any written proof of that conversation. Hoping they don't fight the claim since I was upfront with them about why I was leaving.
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Nick Kravitz
same thing happend to me!!!! quit my construction job bc of my knees and got DENIED benefirts. fought it for 2 months and gave up. system is rigged
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Hannah White
•Did you appeal the decision though? Just because you get denied initially doesn't mean it's over. The system isn't necessarily rigged - it just requires proper documentation and following the appeal process. About 45% of initial denials get overturned on appeal if you have the right documentation and present your case well.
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Michael Green
This is a tricky situation, but not impossible. When you quit for health reasons, PA UC puts the burden on you to prove it was necessary. Here's what you need to do: 1. File your biweekly claim as normal - don't let those weeks lapse 2. When asked why you're no longer working, select "quit" and then "health reasons" 3. Be prepared for them to put your claim on hold with an "open issue" 4. Get a doctor's note ASAP documenting your back condition and work limitations 5. Upload all documentation to your dashboard There will likely be a fact-finding interview where they'll ask why you quit. Be honest about the physical limitations and explain you tried but couldn't continue without risking serious injury. Mention any conversations with supervisors about your condition. The key factor will be whether they determine you had a "necessitous and compelling reason" to quit. Medical issues can qualify if properly documented.
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Natalie Chen
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I'm going to file today and follow these steps exactly. One more question - do you know how long it typically takes for them to schedule the fact-finding interview? I'm worried about being without income for weeks or months while this gets sorted out.
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Michael Green
•Unfortunately, fact-finding interviews are currently taking 3-6 weeks to schedule. Your claim will likely show "open issue" until then. If you're in a financial emergency, you might consider trying to reach a UC agent directly to explain your situation and see if they can expedite. I know getting through to PA UC is nearly impossible these days with busy signals and disconnections. Many people are using Claimyr.com to get connected to an agent without the wait. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. I used it when I had an open issue and got through same day instead of waiting weeks.
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Mateo Silva
I feel for you! Back problems are no joke. My sister just went thru something similar with PA unemployment. She had to get her doctor to fill out some special form stating she couldn't do that specific type of work. Good luck!
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Samantha Johnson
One more thing - make sure you continue to complete your work search activities while waiting for a determination. You need to apply to at least 2 jobs each week and complete 1 work search activity. Look for jobs that won't aggravate your back condition. If you stop doing work search because you're waiting for a decision, you could lose benefits for those weeks regardless of how they rule on the quit issue.
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Natalie Chen
•Oh wow I wouldn't have thought of that! Thanks for the reminder. I'll make sure to keep doing all my work searches and documenting them while this gets sorted out. Definitely going to focus on office or remote positions this time around.
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Victoria Jones
anyone know if he has to do the waiting week again? or does that only happen once per benefit year?
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Hannah White
•The waiting week only happens once per benefit year in Pennsylvania. Since he already served his waiting week during his initial claim and this is a continuation of the same benefit year (he mentioned having 8 weeks remaining), he wouldn't have to serve another waiting week. He would just resume where he left off if they approve his claim.
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Nick Kravitz
Been on PA UC 3 times and lemme tell you something - they ALWAYS side with employers. Always. Good luck but don't hold your breath waiting for that money!!!
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Samantha Johnson
•That's simply not accurate. While PA UC does carefully scrutinize voluntary quits, they approve many claims for medical reasons when properly documented. According to PA UC's own statistics, approximately 37% of medical-related voluntary quit cases are approved when claimants provide proper documentation. The key is providing evidence that the quit was necessary and not just preferable.
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Natalie Chen
Update: I got a doctor's appointment for tomorrow and explained the situation. He said he'd write up documentation about my back condition and work restrictions. I also filed my claim today and selected "quit" and then "health reasons" like you all suggested. Now showing "open issue" on my dashboard. Going to upload the doctor's note as soon as I get it. Fingers crossed!
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Michael Green
•You're doing everything right! Make sure the doctor's note specifically states that your medical condition makes you unable to perform the specific job duties required at the warehouse position. Generic notes are less effective than ones that directly connect your condition to the specific work requirements you couldn't perform.
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