Unemployment Compensation

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Information and resources about Unemployment Compensation issues in Pennsylvania.

Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.

Able and Available for Work and Refusal of Suitable Work

Information from Neighborhood Legal Services on the "able and available for suitable work" and "refusal of suitable work" requirements for unemployment compensation.

Basics of Unemployment Compensation

General information from Neighborhood Legal Services about receiving unemployment compensation benefits.

Know Your Rights: Unemployment Compensation Overpayments (Video)

On Monday, May 22, 2023 Philadelphia Legal Assistance UC attorneys Aaron Sommer and Meghan Binford gave a presentation on UC overpayments on Facebook Live. The presentation talked about the different types of UC overpayments, how the government can recover the overpayment, and overpayment waivers.

Voluntary Quit

You will be ineligible for unemployment compensation if you voluntarily quit your job without “good cause”. However, if you can prove that you quit your job with “good cause”, you may be able to receive unemployment compensation. This information from Neighborhood Legal Services provides guidance on eligibility for unemployment compensation when you voluntarily quit your job.

Willful Misconduct

If you have been fired, you are entitled to Unemployment Compensation benefits, unless you were fired for “willful misconduct”. This information from Neighborhood Legal Services explains eligibility for unemployment compensation when you are laid off or fired from your job.

Appealing an Unemployment Compensation Decision

Information from Neighborhood Legal Services on how to appeal a denial of unemployment compensation.

Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits

This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry allows you to file an initial application or file weekly clams and reopen their existing claims for UC benefits via the Internet, telephone or video phone for individuals using American Sign Language.

Benefit Appeals - Important Information for UC Appeal Hearings

Information from the PA Department of Labor & Industry on appeals of unemployment compensation claims.

Did You Get Unemployment Compensation During the Pandemic? Tips for Filing a New UC Application

If you received Unemployment Compensation (UC) during the pandemic and now need to apply again because you lost your job, you may be confused about how to get started. Here’s some advice from Community Legal Services that may help you file your new application.

Downloadable Forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

Filing Bi-Weekly Claims for Unemployment Compensation

After filing an application for UC benefits, you must file claims for weeks when you are totally or partially unemployed in order to receive UC. This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will allow you to file your claims online.

Reopen an Existing Unemployment Compensation Claim

If you established an initial claim for UC benefits within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits and wish to resume filing, you can reopen your claim using the methods listed on this website.

Representing Yourself at a Unemployment Compensation Referee Hearing

Tips and suggestions for persons representing themselves at an unemployment compensation hearing from Neighborhood Legal Services.

Unemployment Compensation Complaint

If you have had problems reaching representatives from Unemployment Compensation (UC), you can submit a complaint using this site.

Waiver of Benefit Overpayment - PUA, PEUC or FPUC

A waiver is available for non-fraud overpayments of benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits

This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry allows you to file an initial application or file weekly clams and reopen their existing claims for UC benefits via the Internet, telephone or video phone for individuals using American Sign Language.

Filing Bi-Weekly Claims for Unemployment Compensation

After filing an application for UC benefits, you must file claims for weeks when you are totally or partially unemployed in order to receive UC. This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry will allow you to file your claims online.

Reopen an Existing Unemployment Compensation Claim

If you established an initial claim for UC benefits within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits and wish to resume filing, you can reopen your claim using the methods listed on this website.

Did You Get Unemployment Compensation During the Pandemic? Tips for Filing a New UC Application

If you received Unemployment Compensation (UC) during the pandemic and now need to apply again because you lost your job, you may be confused about how to get started. Here’s some advice from Community Legal Services that may help you file your new application.

Downloadable Forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Workforce Development System

The Commonwealth Workforce Development System (CWDS) is an Internet-based system of services for use by customers and potential customers of the PA CareerLink® offices. CWDS provides online access to job openings; information about employers; services and training opportunities for job seekers; and labor market information. All of this is available by enrolling on-line with CWDS.

Unemployment Compensation Complaint

If you have had problems reaching representatives from Unemployment Compensation (UC), you can submit a complaint using this site.

Waiver of Benefit Overpayment - PUA, PEUC or FPUC

A waiver is available for non-fraud overpayments of benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

Unemployment Compensation

Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. [PDF] (April 2013)

Unemployment Compensation

Information on Unemployment Compensation benefits from the Erie County Bar Association. (August 2018)

Apply for Unemployment Compensation Benefits

This site from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry allows you to file an initial application or file weekly clams and reopen their existing claims for UC benefits via the Internet, telephone or video phone for individuals using American Sign Language.

Benefit Appeals - Important Information for UC Appeal Hearings

Information from the PA Department of Labor & Industry on appeals of unemployment compensation claims.

COVID-19 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment assistance to “covered individuals,” i.e., self-employed, those seeking parttime employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular UC or extended benefits under state or Federal law or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program created by Section 2107 of the CARES Act of 2020. These individuals include certain gig economy workers, clergy, and those working for religious organizations who are not covered by regular UC. This brochure offers detailed information on the program.

Downloadable Forms from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

Groups Who Should NOT File for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (Video)

This video from the Department of Labor & Industry describes who should not file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

Identity Theft and Unemployment Benefits

Information on the signs that you may be the victim of identity theft through the filing of fraudulent unemployment claims and what to do to report it.

Learn how to file for unemployment benefits online (Video)

Informative video describing how to file for unemployment compensation benefits online in Pennsylvania.

Office of Unemployment Compensation - PA.gov

Launch page to information on Unemployment Compensation from the PA Department of Labor and Industry

Payment/1099G FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry about Form UC-1099G related to unemployment compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Handbook

This booklet, the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Handbook, will answer many of your questions about the benefits available to you and provide information about your responsibilities as a participant in the program. Read this booklet carefully and retain it for reference for one year. Visit www.uc.pa.gov for additional information, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

People should be on the lookout for identity theft involving unemployment benefits

Scammers took advantage of the pandemic by filing fraudulent claims for unemployment compensation using stolen personal information of individuals who had not filed claims. Payments made as a result of these fraudulent claims went to the identity thieves. This Tax Tip from the IRS offers advice on what to do if you receive an incorrect form 1099-G regarding unemployment benefits.

Reopen an Existing Unemployment Compensation Claim

If you established an initial claim for UC benefits within the past year, stopped filing for those benefits and wish to resume filing, you can reopen your claim using the methods listed on this website.

Report Unemployment Fraud

Information on how to report fraud in the UC and PUA Programs.

Support Withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits

A brochure from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry providing information on support withholding from Unemployment Compensation Benefits. [PDF] (June 2015)

Unemployment Benefits - Guide

This guide will help you navigate the process of applying for unemployment compensation in Pennsylvania.

Unemployment Compensation FAQs

Frequently asked questions regarding unemployment compensation benefits in Pennsylvania, answered by the PA Department of Labor & Industry.

What's wrong with my UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM? -- TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

This troubleshooting guide explains common issues that many claimants may experience with unemployment compensation claims and offers suggested action steps that can help speed up the process or fix the issue.

Immigrant's Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation

Information from the National Employment Law Project (NELP) for immigrant worker advocates. This NELP information thoroughly explains eligibility requirements for immigrant workers in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits. Please consult an attorney to get an evaluation of your claims.

National Employment Law Project

Website of the National Employment Law Project. The Project works to promote policies and programs that create good jobs, strengthen upward mobility, enforce hard-won worker rights, and help unemployed workers regain their economic footing through improved benefits and services.

COVID-19 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment assistance to “covered individuals,” i.e., self-employed, those seeking parttime employment, individuals lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular UC or extended benefits under state or Federal law or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program created by Section 2107 of the CARES Act of 2020. These individuals include certain gig economy workers, clergy, and those working for religious organizations who are not covered by regular UC. This brochure offers detailed information on the program.

Immigration and Unemployment Compensation: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to many comman questions about immigration status and unemployment compensation benefits.

Learn how to file for unemployment benefits online (Video)

Informative video describing how to file for unemployment compensation benefits online in Pennsylvania.

Mistakes and Misinformation from Employers about Unemployment Compensation

There are many misconceptions about unemployment compensation so it is important that workers know their rights and the rules around UC benefits. Many employers are uncertain about information regarding unemployment compensation and may furnish you incorrect information. Here are facts to help you determine if what you are told is correct.

Understanding & Challenging PUA Monetary Determinations in Pennsylvania

You’ve applied for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and received your Monetary Determination. This guide from Philadelphia Legal Assistance will explain how your weekly benefit amount (WBA) is calculated for your PUA claim and what you can do if you believe your WBA is incorrect.

Unemployment Compensation

Resources and information from Philadelphia Legal Assistance for Pennsylvanians seeking unemployment compensation.

Waiver of Benefit Overpayment - PUA, PEUC or FPUC

A waiver is available for non-fraud overpayments of benefits for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).

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