SSDI and PA UC benefits conflict - Do I repay unemployment or will it be deducted later?

This is a tricky situation. First, you need to understand that SSDI and UC have different eligibility requirements that can conflict. For SSDI, you're stating you cannot work full-time due to disability, while for UC, you're stating you're able and available for full-time work. Regarding your questions: 1. You may need to repay the UC benefits you received while on SSDI, as this could be considered an overpayment. Social Security considers UC as unearned income. 2. You need to request an official UC claim summary from PA showing your claim status. Log into your UC account, go to 'View Payments and Claim Status' and there should be an option to download or request an official statement showing your claim is inactive. 3. If you can't access this online, you'll need to speak directly with a UC representative. Did you report your SSDI when you applied for unemployment? That's an important factor here.

OMG I went through almost the EXACT same thing last year!! The system is SO messed up! One hand doesn't know what the other is doing. I ended up having to pay back about $1,800 in UC benefits even though I was honest about everything from the start. They said I wasn't "able and available" for full-time work because of my disability, so I shouldn't have gotten UC at all. It's ridiculous because I was LOOKING for work the whole time! Fought it for months and still lost. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but prepare yourself to repay.

To get an official letter showing your UC claim status, you can try this approach: 1. If you're having trouble with the website timing out, try accessing it during off-peak hours (very early morning or late evening). 2. For the letter requirement, you need a "UC Claim Record" or "Statement of Benefits." If you can't get it online, I recommend using Claimyr to connect with a PA UC agent directly. I was in a similar situation and spent days trying to get through, then used their service and got connected in about 20 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 3. Once you speak with someone, specifically request a "Verification of UC Claim Status Letter" for your SSDI caseworker. They can email or mail this to you. Regarding repayment - in PA, it really depends on whether they determine there was an overpayment. Since you reported your SSDI, you might have a good case against repayment, especially if you have documentation that a UC rep told you it was okay.

jus want to say u should ALWAYS keep copies of EVERYTHING when dealing w/ govt benefits. i print EVERY page and confirmation when i file anything. saved my butt so many times. good luck!

There's some misinformation in this thread I'd like to clarify. The Social Security Administration and PA UC have different rules that sometimes conflict: 1. SSDI recipients CAN work part-time within their earnings limits ($1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals). 2. PA UC typically requires you to be able and available for full-time work, BUT there are exceptions for those with documented medical restrictions. 3. If you disclosed your SSDI status when applying for UC and were approved anyway, you may have grounds to request a waiver if they determine there was an overpayment. 4. For the letter: Call the UC Service Center at 888-313-7284 and request a "Verification of Benefits Letter" or "Claim Status Letter." Be specific that this is for your SSDI caseworker. Also, double-check with your SSDI caseworker about exactly what documentation they need. Sometimes they just need verification that you're no longer receiving UC benefits, which might be simpler to obtain than a formal letter.

i got hit with a UC overpayment while on SSDI too. total nightmare!!!! ended up on a payment plan for 10 months. the rules make NO sense. they tell u that u can work part time then penalize u for it later. system is rigged against disabled ppl trying to work!!!

Since there seems to be some confusion, here's what you should do step by step: 1. Contact your local Social Security office directly (not just your caseworker) and ask them to clarify exactly what documentation they need regarding your UC claim ending. 2. Request your UC claim record by submitting form UC-44FR "Request for UC Records" (available on the PA UC website under Forms). You can fax or mail this form if the website continues to be problematic. 3. If you disclosed your SSDI status when applying for UC and were approved, gather any documentation of this (emails, letters, notes from phone calls with dates and representative names). 4. If a determination is made that you need to repay, you can request a waiver if it would cause financial hardship AND you believe the overpayment wasn't your fault. The key here is getting your documentation in order quickly. Don't wait for automated notices which might take months to arrive.

Has anyone actually had success getting through to the UC office lately? I've been trying for TWO WEEKS with no luck. Always busy signals or the automated system hangs up on me after saying "high call volume." This is ridiculous!

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at UC this morning! The rep said I can request an official benefit payment history letter through my dashboard (under the Documents section), and this should satisfy what my SSDI caseworker needs. She also said since I reported both my disability status and SSDI income when I applied for UC, and was approved anyway, I shouldn't have to repay anything. Apparently there's a note in my file from the initial UC interviewer acknowledging my situation. Such a relief! Will post again if anything changes, but wanted to thank everyone for their help and advice!

So happy to hear you got it resolved! This gives me hope for others in similar situations. Your experience really highlights how important it is to be completely transparent when applying for benefits - the fact that you disclosed everything upfront and have documentation of that conversation saved you from a potential nightmare. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar spot: Amina's case shows that if you're honest about your circumstances and the agencies approve you anyway, you're likely protected from having to repay benefits later. The key is keeping records of ALL communications and being proactive about getting official documentation when questions arise. Thanks for updating us with the positive outcome - these success stories are so valuable for the community!