The weekly work search rule in Pennsylvania
Apply for 2 jobs and do 1 work search activity each week, starting with the third week of your benefit year. A job interview can stand in for an application or the activity. A third job application can replace the activity. If you work part time and get a reduced payment, you need only 1 job application that week and no activity.
Keep your own record of job applications and work search activities. Do not send it to the Department unless it asks. Not sending it when asked can make you ineligible and you may have to pay back benefits.
File and certify on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation site. The rules can change, so check L&I's work search page if a letter from them says something different.
| Pennsylvania rule | |
|---|---|
| Each week | Apply for 2 jobs and do 1 work search activity each week, starting with the third week of your benefit year. A job interview can stand in for an application or the activity. A third job application can replace the activity. If you work part time and get a reduced payment, you need only 1 job application that week and no activity. |
| How you report it | Keep your own record of job applications and work search activities. Do not send it to the Department unless it asks. Not sending it when asked can make you ineligible and you may have to pay back benefits. |
| Enter each activity online | No, you keep your own record |
| Keep records | L&I may ask to see your work search record at any time for two years from the effective date of your claim. Form UC-304 can be used but is not required. You can also upload records to your benefits portal for safekeeping. |
| Agency | Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation |
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation (www.pa.gov), checked 2026-10-20.
What counts as a work search activity in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of Unemployment Compensation lists these:
- Attending a job fair
- Searching open jobs on PA CareerLink or job boards
- Creating and uploading a resume to PA CareerLink or job boards
- Looking for job networking chances
- Using an employment agency, employment registry or school placement service
- Taking a civil service test or other pre-employment test
- A training workshop or event offered through PA CareerLink
- Self-employed people submitting a bid for work
Who does not have to search for work in Pennsylvania
You are exempt for a week if you took part in a department-approved work search activity or program, get work through a union hiring hall and are in good standing, are in the Shared-Work program, are in department-approved or Trade Adjustment Act training, are required to take part in RESEA at a PA CareerLink, or are laid off for lack of work with a written recall date (this ends if the recall date is cancelled or passes). The Department can also waive the rules if following them would be oppressive; use form UC-318.
Keep your work search log free
Write down each activity the day you do it: the date, the employer, how you contacted them, the job, and what happened. If the state asks to see your search, the log is your proof.
The free work search log in Capstone Careers keeps it for you: each application you send through Capstone Careers goes on it by itself, you add the ones you do elsewhere, and you can save the week as a PDF.
Need more applications to reach your number? See openings near you and get a resume written for each one.
Training while you are on unemployment in Pennsylvania
If you want to train for a new job, WIOA can pay for approved training if you qualify. See how WIOA works in Pennsylvania.
Approved training is on L&I's list of exemptions above, so ask L&I before you start.