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WHEN YOU FIND A NEW JOB Full-time Work You do not need to notify our office when you start a full-time job with either your former employer or a new employer. Simply stop submitting the weekly claim certification to request UC benefit payments when you start your new job (even if you will not receive your first paycheck anytime soon). Part-time Work If you find part-time work, you may still be eligible for partial UC benefit payments. Be sure to report any earnings from part-time work. See the Reporting Earnings section for more information. Reopening an Existing Claim If you opened an unemployment compensation (UC) claim within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits because you found a new job, but now need to file for benefits again, you will simply reopen your existing claim. It doesn’t matter if you’re filing with the same employer or a new one, if you’re filing for UC benefits within the 12 months that you opened your initial claim, you will reopen it to file for benefits. UC FRAUD Fraud is a serious crime. Detecting and preventing unemployment compensation fraud is a priority for our agency. Claims are audited regularly to ensure benefits were paid according to state and federal law. EXAMPLES OF UC FRAUD Some examples of fraud include: • Failing to report money earned while collecting benefits. • Being dishonest about why you are no longer working for a previous employer. • Saying you are able and available when you are ill, traveling, or otherwise unable or unavailable to work. • Reporting that you looked for work when you did not make valid work search efforts. • Allowing another person to collect benefits for you. • Stealing someone’s identity to file for unemployment benefits in their name. To Avoid Committing Fraud The most important thing is to be honest. If you intentionally make false statements or hide information to gain or maintain UC benefits, you are committing fraud. If you are confused about what you are supposed to do or report, call 888-313-7284 for clarification. We are here to help! PENALTIES FOR UC FRAUD Penalties for fraud can include: • Repayment of all UC benefits that you were not eligible to receive. • A 15% penalty on top of the benefits you should not have received. Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Handbook 12