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Am I Eligible for UC?

Unemployment compensation (UC) is money paid to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

Any unemployed person may file a claim for UC benefits. Your eligibility is based on the information provided by you and your employer(s) after you file an application for UC benefits. Following your application for benefits, there are three basic steps to determining eligibility for UC benefits:

The first step is determining whether you are financially eligible for benefits. In other words, did you earn sufficient wages and credit weeks in employment covered by the PA UC Law? Services performed by an individual for remuneration are deemed to be covered employment unless otherwise designated under the PA UC Law. For example, agricultural labor and domestic services performed in a private home are specifically exempt from coverage under the PA UC Law. Services performed in self-employment are likewise not covered, because they do not constitute “employment” under the PA UC Law. After you file, you will receive a notice of financial determination indicating whether you are financially eligible.

If you have been determined to be financially eligible, the second step involves the nature of your job loss or separation. In other words, are you out of work through no fault of your own? This decision is based on the information you supply when you file for benefits, and information collected from your former employer.

The third qualifier to receiving UC benefits involves meeting various tests on a week-to-week basis. For example, you must be able and available to accept suitable work, not refuse work when offered without good cause and participate in reemployment services if required. You’ll also have to register for employment-search services at PA CareerLink® within 30 days after filing an application for benefits and actively seek work during each week that you claim UC benefits.

Other Important Eligibility Considerations

Receiving UC benefits to which you are not entitled may result in reducing or removing future benefit entitlement until repaid.

The information provided on this site does not constitute a determination of eligibility to receive unemployment compensation.