How Do I Sign Up For Unemployment In Pennsylvania

Information Needed Is As Follows:

• Information needed is as follows:
• Your Social Security Number
• The year you were born
• Your home address and telephone number
• Whether you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in your state or in any other state during the past 12 months
• Your last day of employment
• The names and addresses of all of the employers you have worked for during the 15 months prior to filing your claim and the dates you worked for each of these employers. If you are reopening a claim, be ready with the same information for the past 8 weeks
• The reason that you are no longer working or that your hours have been reduced The names, dates of birth and social security numbers for any dependent children if you are going to apply for dependency allowance
• Form no. SF 8 or SF 50 if you were a federal employee
• Federal Employee Identification Number this is found on any W2 or 1099 tax forms you have received
• In case you dont have the FEIN, you can use employer details off of a recent paystub
• If you were military personnel, from DD-214 must be produced. Note that only member copies 2-8 of DD-214 are acceptable.
• Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen

If You Are Not a United States Citizen

You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job.

Want to know about how much you will receive?? > Calculate your benefits here

Financial Requirements For Social Security Disability

The SSA imposes different financial requirements on eligibility for SSDI and SSI:

• You must meet certain standards concerning your work history. A 55-year old, for example, must have worked at least eight years during his working lifetime, five of which must have been during the last ten years. These standards vary according to age.
• To be eligible for SSDI, you must not be involved in substantial gainful activity, which means that you are not eligible for disability benefits if you earn at least $1,220 per month .
• To become eligible for SSI you dont need any work history, but you must meet very low family asset and income maximums.

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Eligibility Requirements For Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Labor & Industry handles unemployment benefits and determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must meet the following three eligibility requirements in order to collect unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania:

• Your past earnings must meet certain minimum thresholds.
• You must be unemployed through no fault of your own, as defined by Pennsylvania law.
• You must be able and available to work, and you must be actively seeking employment.

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How To Complete The Pennsylvania Unemployment Registration Process

Applicants who are wondering, How can I sign up for unemployment in Pennsylvania? may simply file for unemployment benefits by completing the convenient OUC online application. When submitting a PA online application for unemployment benefits, you are not required to create an account through the departments internet service. Also, unemployment claimants in PA can use the same online form to reopen an existing petition, in the event that they have stopped claiming their weekly benefits.

To file for an unemployment claim via the internet, former Pennsylvania employees are required to complete the following steps:

• Open the online application form in a language of your choice.
• Provide your background information.
• Answer several types of questions regarding your unemployment claim.
• Supply extensive information about your employment history.
• Review the data you have provided and submit the online UC form.

During the process of determination, an OUC representative may contact UC claimants in order to ask for clarification regarding certain aspects of their unemployment EDD application. Unemployment compensation petitioners may also be required to provide additional data and documents in order to resolve certain eligibility issues. To avoid any delays when you file for an unemployment claim in Pennsylvania, you must promptly answer any additional OUC requests.

What Documents And Information Are Necessary To Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Pa

To successfully apply for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania, interested UC petitioners are required to provide several types of documents and information that will support their UC claim. Regardless of whether you are using a paper or online application for unemployment in PA, you must submit:

• Your Pennsylvania state ID card or a drivers license.
• Your Social Security card.
• Your alien registration number .
• Your contact information, such as your phone number, email address, mailing address and residential address.
• Your personal information, such as your date of birth, gender, ethnicity and race.
• Your recent employment history, such as your employers contact information, the dates of your employments and the reason you were dismissed.

The above list is not all-inclusive, and PA claimants who are applying for UC benefits may be required to submit additional paperwork, based on their circumstances. Therefore, you must check the status of your Pennsylvania unemployment EDD application on a regular basis.

Note: Providing false information to the state Department of Labor and Industry is punishable by law.

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Filing For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits.

PUA is only for individuals who are unemployed due to COVID-19 reasons.

Individuals covered under PUA include the self-employed , those seeking part-time employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular or extended unemployment benefits.

Filing For Unemployment In The Lehigh Valley

Unemployment Compensation provides income support if you lose your job through no fault of your own. If you qualify, you will receive money from the UC fund for a limited time to help you while you look for another job. To be covered by the UC program, you must have worked for an employer who is required by law or elects to pay into the UC fund. All applications are checked thoroughly. Fraud is prosecuted and may result in fines and/or imprisonment or other penalties. To protect yourself, only give complete, accurate and factual information when filing your claim.

For more information, visit the Office of Unemployment Compensation website.

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Are The Benefits Taxable In Pennsylvania

Unemployment Insurance benefits are subject to federal and state income taxes.

For unemployed workers who received unemployment insurance benefits, the IRS will tax all benefits after the first $2400. If taxes were not automatically withdrawn from your unemployment benefits check you could end up being liable for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in taxes.

If you are searching for a job, gather all of your job search related receipts. You may be able to deduct expenses for items such as parking fees, resume services and even long distance phone calls and travel expenses related to searching for work.

How To File For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Make sure to review the PUA System Guide or the PUA Claimant Assistance Guide for helpful information on what items to have ready as you prepare to register and file your initial claim and navigate the PUA system.

The easiest way to file an initial PUA claim and to submit weekly certifications is online.

If you have questions or need assistance with issues related to your PUA claim, there are two ways to contact the UC team. Call 855-284-8545 any time between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also email . This phone line and email address are for PUA questions only.

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Pa Unemployment Compensation Guide

Filing your unemployment application in Pennsylvania is not a straight forward process. Set aside some time to understand the process before you apply for PA unemployment benefits. This guide explains the eligibility criteria, and the process to file for unemployment compensation.

How To File A Claim For Unemployment Benefits In Pennsylvania

You may file your claim for unemployment benefits online, by phone, by fax, or by mail. You can find online filing information and contact information at the DLI’s website. Once you file, you must continue to file weekly claims with the DLI for each week for which you are claiming benefits.

Once it receives your application, the DLI will send you some documents, including a Notice of Financial Determination indicating your potential benefit amount and duration.

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What You Need Before You Get Started

Personal Information:

• Home address and mailing address .
• Telephone number.
• Valid email.
• Personal Identification Number . If you have previously filed a UC claim using your previous PIN can prevent you from having to re-enter information.
• Direct deposit bank information : Bank name, address, account number, and routing number.

In some cases, additional information is needed. For a complete list, view our requirements checklist.

Information about Separating Employer:

• Employers name, address, and phone number.
• Employers PA UC account number .
• First and last day worked with employer.
• Reason for leaving or the reason you are working fewer hours.
• Pension or severance package information .

Tools to Help You File

• Frequently Asked Questions A resource to help answer any questions you may have about filing or receiving unemployment compensation benefits, including eligibility, how your weekly benefit is calculated, and more.
• Self-service Step-by-step Instructions These step-by-step guides and instructions will guide you through many UC online services, including how to file an initial claim, how to file a weekly certification, and more.
• New UC System Resources Video tutorials, workshop recordings, and more.

Q: What Is Unemployment Compensation

A: Unemployment compensation is a government benefits program that protects workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own from imminent financial hardships. People who qualify to receive unemployment compensation get a weekly check and help finding a new job. Most people receiving unemployment compensation receive about ½ of what they earned at their job. However, you may receive more money if you have a dependant spouse or child. Unemployment compensation usually can last for up to 26 weeks. However, your unemployment compensation benefits can end after 16 weeks, or you can be denied benefits altogether, if you didnt work enough in the previous year.

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How Much Can I Receive And When Might It Come

The amount of compensation you can receive is known as your Weekly Benefit Rate, and its calculated based on your recent earnings. Generally, your benefits should cover about 50% of your full-time weekly wage, capped at $572 per week.

If you are eligible to collect unemployment, you should begin receiving your benefits two to four weeks after filing your claim. Funds will be issued via a debit card from the Unemployment Compensation office, or through direct deposit. You will still need to file a bi-weekly claim to continue receiving money.

Learn Where To Sign Up For Unemployment Benefits

After collecting all items necessary for the unemployment registration process, you must learn where to apply for unemployment in your state. Generally, you can submit an online application for unemployment through the website of your state UI agency. However, some applicants may be unable to file for an unemployment claim online. Therefore, depending on your states policies and procedures, you may also be able to:

U.S. states generally implement a one-week waiting period after you submit your UI petition. Therefore, if your application is accepted, you will receive your benefits within two to three weeks.

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Filing Your Claims At Pa Unemployment Office

Once you have collected all the details, you need to contact the employment office to file your application. You can do so either by phone or online. Filing the claims via internet is the fastest and more efficient method. Visit State website at www.dli.state.pa.us to file online.

If you prefer to file over phone, check PA Unemployment Office page to get the contact numbers

Watch this video on how to contact PA unemployment office

Unemployment offices may take 2-4 weeks to process your claim. Many States demand one-week waiting period. Therefore, the second week claimed is the first week of payment.

Federal and state laws require that certain kind of information be provided upon request for statistical and Unemployment Insurance program improvement purposes. The information you give to the Unemployment Insurance Agency relating to your claim for unemployment remuneration is kept private and will be used only by public officials performing their duties.

After you file your application, you will get an acknowledgement from the State agency. Now, you will start receiving weekly benefits. Remember you have to claim your benefits every week and make them aware that you are still unemployed.

How Unemployment Benefits Extensions In Pennsylvania Work

If you are interested in learning how to get an unemployment extension in Pennsylvania, you must first find out about the necessary eligibility requirements for state unemployment compensation extensions. Beyond the regular benefit period, there are special occurrences in all states when state governments activate emergency programs and enable benefit recipients to continue receiving benefits until the crises have been resolved. These are known as unemployment extensions.

However, extensions are not readily available to unemployed PA residents. In Pennsylvania, only those who have been laid off through no fault of their own are able to apply, and even then, benefits may not be available.

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What To Do After You File You Unemployment Application

After you have applied for the benefits, loosen up and think about the next steps. The payback you get will not be adequate to cover your living costs, so you should find employment straight away. Review your resume and give it a modern look. Develop your business skills or learn about new craft. Check which line of business is adding up new jobs and where the innovation is occurring.

As soon as you settle on the kind of next job you wish for, make a better use of new tools available for job searching. Networking sites such as Linkedin will help greatly with job hunting these days. Create your personal network now! You never know at the time will you need them and now is the best time to widen your network. Post your resume to various job websites such as Career Builder etc. It is also a good idea to explore unconventional places to find work. Places like Craigs list may hold gems of opportunities, who knows?

What You Need To Know About Filing For Unemployment In Pa Right Now

You might be able to get benefits even if youre not yet laid off.

If youre out of a job because of coronavirus-related business closures, you could get unemployment or workers comp pay.

Apply for benefits immediately if youre in that situation, Philly and Pennsylvania officials say. In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the state has changed requirements so more people will qualify for benefits.

But for applicants like Nicole DeJessa, a restaurant server who lives in Phillys Pennsport neighborhood, the typical unemployment application questions are causing confusion during this atypical situation.

Some of the industries hit hardest by the global pandemics arrival in the Philly region have been hospitality, events and food service. Restaurants, which felt the strain even before the city and state mandated they close, are now reeling after being limited to pickup and delivery service.

DeJessa said that before the business shut down, her final paycheck with tips was one-tenth of its usual rate because of the coronavirus slowdown. Still, her unemployment application required her to input the amount of money she made the week before her last day of work on Monday.

The application also asks for the date a worker will return to work, which no one knows, DeJessa said.

According to Spotlight PA, more than 120,000 people filed for unemployment in just two days at the start of the shutdown.

Heres what we know about how to do it.

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Continuing Weekly Certification Of Benefits

After receiving their first payment, claimants must continue certifying for benefits every week. Claim weeks start on Sunday and end on Saturday claimants file for benefits every two weeks, but verify their eligibility for each week at that time. Claimants can certify weekly claims online from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can also call 888-255-4728 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday to certify by phone.

Claimants must look for work and report their findings to the PDLI to continue receiving unemployment claims. To do this, they must register online with the Pennsylvania CareerLink system within 30 days after filing their initial claim to report any potential jobs they sought each week. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state suspended these requirements, but the PDLI will reinstate them on .

What If I Need Help With The Process

Currently, the UC office says online is experiencing very large call volumes, and asks that you contact them via email at . The average email response time for people experiencing issues with their claims is two to four weeks, according to the UC offices website.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is one of more than 20 news organizations producing Broke in Philly, a collaborative reporting project on solutions to poverty and the citys push toward economic justice. See all of our reporting at brokeinphilly.org.

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