How To Apply For Pennsylvania Unemployment

How To Qualify For Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

Changes for those applying for PA Unemployment Benefits

Individual eligibility cannot be determined until a claimant files an initial claim for review. However, most eligible claimants will be able to show the following:

Sufficient qualifying income and a minimum of 18 credit weeks within the base year

A qualifying separation meaning the claimant lost employment through no fault of his/her own or left employment with good cause
Willingness and availability to accept suitable work whenever it is offered

Once your initial unemployment compensation claim is submitted, your information will be reviewed and you will receive a decision as to your eligibility.

Washington Unemployment Phone Numbers

Sometimes you just have to talk to a live person to get answers to your questions.

Be prepared for long waits because lots of people try to do the same thing that you are. Be patient and you will get through to someone who can help you. Even though it is frustrating to wait so long, please be courteous and polite. The staffers on the other line are over-worked and are doing everything they can to help all of the people.

To apply for your initial claims you can call claims center at 800-318-6022 , TTY 800-365-8969.

Submit questions about unemployment benefits eligibility, the application process, receiving your check, filing a weekly claim, qualifying for special benefits or overpayment, call at 800-318-6022, TTY 800-365-8969

Disagree with a benefits decision? You can appeal by Fax: 800-301-1795

To arrange repayment of benefits youre not entitled to receive call at 866-697-4831, TTY 800-207-0882 or Fax- 360-902-9270

For Job opportunities with Employment Security, Fax: 360-902-9239

To report benefits cheaters: 866-266-1987, option 2, Fax: 360-407-3378 or 360-407-3379 , 509-893-7087

Kris,

Please consider the option of visiting an office in the vicinity if safe and feasible .

Jerid,

The Unemployment Office might be inundated with pending requests. Please be patient and continue following up regularly.

James,

I can understand your situation. Please consider the option of visiting an office in the vicinity if safe and feasible .

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How Long Can I Collect Unemployment Benefits

You can collect unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania for 26 weeks. If you don’t find work before your benefits run out, you can file for an unemployment extension. Each extension is reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.

However, keep in mind the CARES Act extends your benefit period by 13 weeks.

Are You Available And Actively Searching For Work

PLA Running Unemployment Compensation Hotline and Providing Information ...

To maintain your eligibility for unemployment benefits, you must be able to work, available to accept a job, and looking for employment. If youre offered a suitable position, you must accept it. For the initial unemployment period, whether a position is suitable depends on several factors, including the level of skill and training required, the similarity between the work and your previous employment, how much the position pays, and the distance between the job site and your residence. However, as time goes on, you will be expected to modify your standards and consider accepting work that requires less skill or that pays lower wages.

You must conduct a reasonable search for work, which includes applying to at least two jobs and conducting at least one other work search activity per week. You should keep a record of your job search efforts, including the employers you have contacted, the dates you made contact, and the outcome. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry may contact you or your employer contacts to verify your efforts.

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Overcoming Disparities In Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation

The Pennsylvania DLI has secured a $3 million federal grant to address disparities in the states unemployment compensation system with the help of community organizations. The department plans to use the grant to improve access for specific groups of underserved Pennsylvanians, including workers with limited English proficiency in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, workers in low-income communities with limited access to technology, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities. Pennsylvania is one of just seven states to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. The grant will run for three years.

Unemployment tax obligations are inevitable for every employer, but there are steps they can take to handle them more effectively, primarily through lowering the rate of employee turnover and reducing the number of former employees who file for unemployment benefits during the calendar year. Apart from this, employers need to understand how the UI system works as well as the different state and federal requirements that they need to meet. Finally, outsourcing unemployment claims management relieves employers of time-consuming and complex tasks associated with handling UI responsibilities and allows them to stay compliant and focus on the areas of their business that actually generate revenue.

Documents And Information 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 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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Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

Once your initial claim is approved, you also are required to file a biweekly claim for unemployment compensation benefits youd like to receive for the previous two weeks. As part of this process, youll answer questions related to any money earned in the previous weeks, activities related to your job search, and any job offers youve received since your last claim.

You can file your weekly claim online or use Pennsylvania Teleclaims by calling 888-255-4728.

Overview Of Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation

How to file an unemployment claim in PA during the coronavirus outbreak

Unlike other states that refer to UI tax, Pennsylvania government offices use the terms Unemployment Compensation and UC tax. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is responsible for administering the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law which requires employers to pay contributions into a pooled reserve known as the Unemployment Compensation Fund. This fund pays benefits to employees who become unemployed through involuntary causes.

Pennsylvania unemployment compensation has some basic rules that employers need to follow for it to operate smoothly and protect the benefits of Pennsylvanias workers. Therefore, employers who pay wages for employment covered by Pennsylvania unemployment compensation are required to:

Register with the Department of Labor & Industry
Maintain certain employment records
File quarterly reports of wages paid and contributions due

Pay the employer contributions due on such quarterly reports
Withhold and remit any employee contributions due on such quarterly reports for quarters during which employee contributions are in effect and
Respond timely and adequately to the departments request for information regarding an individuals eligibility for compensation.

Failing to comply with Pennsylvanias unemployment compensation law can result in different violations, including:

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How Did The Cares Act Change Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The third federal stimulus, known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, created two new ways to receive unemployment insurance: the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Unemployment Compensation programs.

PUA temporarily expands benefits to self-employed, independent contractors and gig economy workers and those with insufficient work histories people who would not qualify for unemployment benefits under normal circumstances. PUC provides a $600 benefit each week through the end of July for anyone eligible for state benefits. The add-on is paid on top of state benefits.

Typically, unemployed workers can qualify for up to 26 weeks. However, the CARES Act also created the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program to provide an extra 13 weeks of benefits for a total of 39 weeks.

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

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.

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

How To File For Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Benefits

The Process to Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania

The unemployment application process can be complicated and difficult. When a person has just lost their job they may have a lot on their mind and it is not easy to focus on filling out an unemployment application. Luckily, there are several ways in which Pennsylvania allows someone to file their unemployment claim. Below we discuss each way in which Pennsylvania allows you to file for benefits and the benefits of each.

Online

This is the most efficient and convenient way to apply for benefits. Pennsylvania has set up an online application process and it can make things much easier for the applicant. You will scroll from page to page filling out your application. Make sure you read the instructions closely and have a strong internet connection so that you do not lose the information that you have already entered. We recommend setting aside at least two hours to fill out your claim, although many people can finish in less time than that. One of the largest advantages of online applications is that the applicant will have the time they need to sit and think through their answers. Also, the application will be reviewed quickly as the unemployment service center will receive the application as soon as it is submitted.

Paper ApplicationTelephoneVideophone Service

This service exists exclusively for individuals who use American Sign Language. This option is available only at certain designated times and days.

Discover How To Appeal Denied Unemployment Benefits In Pennsylvania

What Is A Base Year For Unemployment In Pa

The Pennsylvania unemployment denial appeal procedure is available to all state workers who were denied unemployment benefits in PA. Former employees who have had their unemployment compensation benefits denied can file a request for reconsideration with the Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment Compensation.

Unemployment claimants must complete the procedure within 15 days of receiving the OUC determination notice, regardless of how they submit the unemployment denial appeal in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania workers who were denied unemployment coverage can file their request for review at two different levels of appeals. Those who do not receive a favorable decision from the unemployment compensation referee at the first level of appeals can file a next-level unemployment denial appeal with the UC Board of Review.

The OUC generally denies UC claims for reasons such as financial ineligibility or losing your job due to misconduct. However, PA workers who have lost their employment due to wrongful termination remain eligible for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania.

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Employee Eligibility For Benefits

Employees or claimants may be entitled to Pennsylvania unemployment compensation benefits if they meet these eligibility requirements:

Are able to work and available for suitable work

Earned enough wages to qualify and have sufficient credit weeks
Performed services covered by the Pennsylvania unemployment compensation law for an employer that is covered by the Pennsylvania unemployment compensation law
Are unemployed through no fault of their own or due to a work stoppage that is the result of a lockout

Have filed an initial application for unemployment benefits
Are unemployed for a waiting period of one week after filing the initial application for benefits and
File claims for weeks they are unemployed

To receive UC benefits, claimants are required to file an Application for Benefits. Also, it is the responsibility of the claimant to be eligible and remain eligible for benefits. They may not be entitled to receive Pennsylvania unemployment compensation benefits or they may lose their eligibility to receive benefits if they fail to meet all the requirements of the Pennsylvania unemployment compensation law and regulations.

If You Are Denied Benefits

If you are denied unemployment benefits, you can file an appeal. You must submit an appeal within 21 days of being denied benefits, and follow the instructions that accompany the denial notification.

There are three levels for a claimant to appeal for UI claim denial:

UC Service Center Determination

UC Referee Decision
UC Board Of Review Decision

Under Article V of the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law, the Department of Labor & Industry promptly examines each application for benefits and determines whether your application is accepted. The law also provides for an appeal process to allow claimants to object to an unemployment compensation determination to ensure that every individual is given an opportunity for a fair hearing.

Before Submitting A Pennsylvania Weekly Claim

The deadline to submit a Pennsylvania unemployment claim form may vary depending on whether you are completing the form online or by phone. Submitting a claim by phone may require an earlier submission date in order for the claim to be processed in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, Saturday night is the deadline to submit a claim.

If you are waiting to receive a decision on your Pennsylvania unemployment eligibility or are in the process of appealing a benefit denial, you should still file Pennsylvania unemployment claim for each benefit period to protect your right for unemployment benefits and stay current on your account. You must repay benefits received during this time if your eligibility for benefits is denied or an appeal is not approved. If you are approved for benefits or an appeal, you may keep any payment received in this period.

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File Sooner Rather Than Later

Thousands of people will have to re-apply for unemployment in Pennsylvania

If you’re out of work and don’t have emergency savings to fall back on, it’s imperative that you file for unemployment benefits as soon as you can. The good news is that you can sign up to have your benefits deposited directly into your bank account. All you need is your account and routing number to get that set up.

Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Unemployment Application Information

The Pennsylvania unemployment registration process is available to all state workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. Unemployment applicants can file for an unemployment claim in PA through the Office of Unemployment Compensation of the state Department of Labor and Industry. However, before you file for unemployment in Pennsylvania, you are required to meet the federal eligibility requirements, which are administered on a state level by the OUC. Unemployment compensation petitioners who are wondering where to apply for unemployment in Pennsylvania can either submit an online application for unemployment benefits or provide their information by phone or with a paper application. Claimants whose unemployment EDD applications were accepted will be required to file separate claims each week to receive UC benefits.

To find information on topics such as where to sign up for unemployment in Pennsylvania and how to apply for unemployment online, read the below sections:

How to complete the Pennsylvania unemployment registration process
Documents and information necessary to apply for unemployment benefits in PA
What to do after you file for unemployment benefits

Pennsylvania Unemployment Resources