Will PA UC claim work for partial week before benefit year ends 12/28?
Really stressed about my PA unemployment situation and timing. I just reopened my existing claim today (no issues thankfully). I'm scheduled to return to work on 12/2, but then we have our annual holiday shutdown where my last work day will be 12/21 and won't return until 1/3/2025. Here's my concern - my benefit year expires on 12/28. If I reopen my claim on 12/22 after the holiday shutdown starts, and then try to file on 12/29 for the week of 12/22-12/27 (which is still within my original benefit year), will that payment actually go through? Or will the system reject it because I'm filing after my benefit year end date? Anyone deal with this timing issue before? I don't want to miss out on that week of benefits just because of bad timing!
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Michael Green
This is a tricky situation with the benefit year end date. The system looks at when the week of unemployment occurred, not when you file for it. So technically, you should be able to claim that week of 12/22-12/27 since it falls within your benefit year, even though you're filing after the benefit year ended. Just make sure you reopen your claim as soon as your holiday shutdown starts on 12/22 - don't wait until after your benefit year ends to do that part.
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Hannah White
•Thanks for explaining! So just to be absolutely clear - I should reopen on 12/22, but I can actually file for that week after 12/28 (when my benefit year expires) and it should still process correctly? I'm just paranoid about losing that week of benefits.
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Mateo Silva
i had somethng similar happen last year but my claim ended on 1/15 not december. reopend my claim during holiday shutdown and was able to file for the final week even tho my BYE had passed by then. just do it quick after the BYE date dont wait weeks or anything
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Hannah White
•That's reassuring to hear! I'll make sure to file as soon as possible after the week ends. Did you have to call them or was the online system enough?
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Victoria Jones
You'll need to be careful with this timing. The system should allow you to claim for any week that falls within your benefit year, even if you file after the BYE date. However, you absolutely MUST reopen your claim on 12/22 while your benefit year is still active. If you try to reopen after 12/28, you'll be forced to file a new claim instead. Also, make sure your employer is properly reporting your temporary layoff. The system might flag your claim if it looks like you're working full-time on 12/21 and then suddenly not working on 12/22 without proper documentation from your employer about the holiday shutdown.
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Cameron Black
•this is the right answer listen to this person!!! I got messed up because i waited too long to reopen and had to do a whole new claim and lost benefits
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Jessica Nguyen
When my benefit year ended last February I almost got SCREWED by this exact issue!!! The online system is total garbage and kept giving me errors when I tried to file for my last week. I spent THREE DAYS trying to get through on the phone. Nobody answers EVER. It's like they don't want to pay us what we're owed!!!!
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Isaiah Thompson
•I ran into the same phone problems when my claim had issues. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to a PA UC representative. Saved me hours of redialing and actually got my issue fixed in one call. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Worth it when the alternative is calling for days and never getting through.
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Ruby Garcia
just wondering won't u have waiting week anyway if u reopen on 12/22? so maybe not even get paid for that one week?
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Michael Green
•Pennsylvania eliminated the waiting week requirement permanently after the pandemic. As long as the claim is already established, reopening doesn't trigger a waiting week anymore. So the OP should be eligible for payment for that partial week as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
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Hannah White
Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm definitely going to reopen on 12/22 exactly, and file as quickly as possible after the week ends. Really hope the system handles it correctly because that week of benefits would really help with bills. Seems like timing is everything with PA UC!
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Victoria Jones
•One more tip - take screenshots of everything when you reopen and file that week. If there's any issue, you'll want documentation of what the system showed you and any confirmation numbers. Also, note that since you're returning to work on 1/3, make sure to report that correctly when you file for that partial week. Good luck!
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