Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
Are you physically able to work? 
Are you willing to actively look for a job?
Did your employer pay unemployment taxes ("Covered Employment")?
Did you earn at least $1320 in the base period in Pennsylvania? Base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. If you are filing today, base period is Jan 2012 - Mar 2012 to Oct 2012 - Dec 2012
 How did you lose your job? 
Did you quit your last job due to unsafe working conditions, not being paid, discrimination and / or health and safety risks?
Were you fired for no fault of your own?
Were you laid off for no fault of your own?
Apply Online:
Applying online is the easiest and fastest way to claim benefits. Check for more specific details such as timings and requirements to claim benefits in your state. 
CALL: 888-313-7284, Monday through Friday from 8.a.m. - 4 p.m. with Mondays being heavy call days. If your Social Security number ends in an even number, call on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday. If it ends in an odd number, call on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Visit UC Center:
You can’t seem to find assistance on call? No worries. Visit one of the UC center and let the specialist help you out. Please note that wait times can be longer but assistance is guaranteed. you are not eligible | |||||||||
What is the Eligibility Criteria in Pennsylvania?There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification. To learn more check unemployment eligibility article A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. Claim your benefits
How to File Your Initial Claim in Pennsylvania?Information needed is as follows: 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. How to File Your Weekly Claim?After you file your application for unemployment benefits, you must start filing your weekly claims. You require filing each week, even though you are: You can file your weekly claim: File every week that you want to claim benefits and keep on filing until you go back to work, run out of benefits or stop seeking work. You should claim at least one week before we can make a decision on your eligibility. How to Claim for an Extension?If you are presently filing weekly claims for unemployment benefits; carry on filing your weekly claim if you are jobless or working reduced hours. You will be informed by mail of your eligibility for the added benefits. In case you have been filing weekly claims and are still laid off or working reduced hours, you will have to file an application for these extra benefits online or by telephone. You will be alerted by mail of your eligibility for the additional benefits. To be eligible for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) benefits you must: To be eligible for EB benefits you must: View all questions Pennsylvania Unemployment QuestionsWhat are the new registration requirements after I file my application for benefits? You must register for employment search services with the Pennsylvania Careerlink® system within 30 days after you file your application for benefits. If you are not already registered, create a Keystone ID and Password, using your complete Social Security number. Use your Keystone ID and Password. If you previously created a Keystone ID and Password, login and update your information to include your complete Social Security number and all applicable information. I am currently in another state, do the registration requirements affect me? Yes. You must register for employment search services in your local labor market in that state within thirty days after your Pennsylvania application for benefits is filed, but you must also register in the Pennsylvania CareerLink® system by the same deadline. How do I request to receive my benefits by debit card? You do not need to sign up to receive your payments via debit card. If you do not have direct deposit, a debit card will be mailed to you automatically after you have been determined financially eligible for benefits. What should I do if I receive a UC payment for a week that I am working? If you believe that a benefit payment was issued to you improperly or in the wrong amount, contact the UC office immediately. If I run out of unemployment compensation benefits, would I qualify for extended benefits? On June 30, 2008, President Bush signed a federal extension of UC benefits – Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or EUC, and the program began paying benefits to eligible workers beginning with the week ending July 12, 2008. What should I do if I’m unable to get through to the UC service center via telephone? Each UC service center is open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sundays 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays are traditionally a heavy call day. Customers who wish to apply or claim UC benefits are encouraged to file online, or call the UC service center later in the day and later in the week, if possible, when call volume is lighter. During times of high call volume, a call back system may be in place. If you would like a return call, you must enter your Social Security number and the telephone number where you can be reached. Calls are returned from 7 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Sunday through Friday. The UC service center telephone system utilizes line blocking or caller ID block. Callers who have anonymous call rejection activated on their telephones must deactivate this service to receive return calls from the UC service center. I was told by my employer that I may be furloughed or laid off intermittently during the next several months. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? To be eligible for UC benefits, you must meet certain requirements, including the following: First, you must have sufficient wages in the base year. The base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters preceding the application for benefits. Second, you must have been unemployed through no fault of your own. Generally, the reason for your separation from employment will determine whether this requirement is met. This decision is based on the information you supply when you file your application for benefits and information collected from your former employer. Third, you must maintain eligibility on a week-to-week basis. For example, you must be able and available for work. If your hours of work have been reduced or you otherwise continue to work less than your normal full-time work week, you may be eligible for partial benefits. Will receiving a pension make me ineligible for UC benefits? When filing for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits, you are required to report all pensions, including retirement, retired pay, annuities or other similar periodic payments and lump-sum pension payments. Pension and retirement payments are deducted from UC benefits if a base year employer maintained or contributed to the pension plan and if the base year employment affected your eligibility for, or increased the amount of, the pension. If the base year employer alone contributed to the pension, 100 percent of the prorated, weekly amount of the pension is deductible. If you contributed in any amount to the pension, 50 percent of the prorated, weekly pension amount is deductible. Pensions are deductible from weekly benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The partial benefit credit is not applicable. A lump-sum pension payment is not deducted from UC, unless you had the option of taking a monthly pension. In addition, a lump-sum pension is not deductible if you "roll over" the lump sum into an eligible retirement plan such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) within 60 days of receipt. Social Security and Railroad Retirement pensions are not deducted from UC benefit payments. May I collect UC benefits while attending school? The PA UC Law does not disqualify you for benefits simply because you are a full or part-time student. Additionally, you will not be ineligible for any claim week that you are in training approved by the secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry and are otherwise eligible. You may not be eligible for UC benefits if you quit your job to enroll in an academic credit training program. There is no requirement that you must be available for full-time or permanent work. Your work history can be full-time, part-time, or seasonal. However, you must not refuse suitable work when offered. You may also be ineligible if you refuse a referral to a job opportunity. A claimant is ineligible if a claimant's limitation on availability for employment effectively removes the claimant from the local labor market. For you to be ruled ineligible, it must be because the particular limitation on your availability is such that a search for employment in the local labor market would have an unreasonable low possibility of success. For example, a claimant must be able and available for the majority of the workweek. You may also be ineligible for benefits if you fail to participate in reemployment services to which you have been referred through the claimant profiling system. You may also be ineligible for benefits if you fail to be available to be contacted by the UC service center when instructed to do so. It is your responsibility to inform the UC service center when you are unavailable for scheduled services. When you know that you will be unavailable to be contacted at the scheduled time, call the UC service center immediately. I don’t have regular Internet access. How can I request a printed copy of the PA UC Handbook? You can request a printed copy of the PA UC Handbook by calling the UC service center toll free at 888-313-7284, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. What is the PREP program and why must I attend? The Profile Reemployment Program (PREP) is Pennsylvania’s version of the federally mandated Worker Profiling and Reemployment Service system. PREP is designed to identify claimants who are most likely to exhaust unemployment compensation (UC) benefits and may need assistance to find a new job. You may be ineligible for benefits for any week in which you fail to participate in reemployment services to which you have been referred through PREP. If selected, you must participate in this mandatory program unless there is justifiable reason for your failure to participate. If you receive a letter to attend a PREP orientation and you are not able to do so, you must call the PA CareerLink® office shown on the letter to discuss your availability.
How Benefits are calculated?To calculate your weekly benefits amount click here The minimum benefits amount in Pennsylvania is $35. The maximum benefits amount in Pennsylvania is $573 A "base period" is four consecutive calendar quarters that fall within the 18 month period before establishing a new benefit year. To learn more Unemployment benefits article |
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I worked for a company based in Pennsylvania but live in Michigan. Which state do i file for benefits?
Thank you
I was a teacher in VA and had to move when my husband relocated to PA to another job. I have not been able to find a teaching job in my area. Can I receive unemployment benefits?
Many schools do not pay into unemployment. Contact the pa unemployment office.
My employer is closing the part of his business that I work for. He said he would give me a letter to collect unemployment. Then he came back and said he might have a position working 4PM to 12:00 PM with another part of his company.
#1 – This is less hours and less money I am making now
#2 – I am 63 years old and HE knows those hours are brutal and I cannot work those hours. I think he is doing this to disallow my unemployment
#3 – Can I collect unemployment if I am collecting Social Security?
How do I go about getting my unemployment with these circumstance. I have worked for this man for 17 years and deserve to collect since those hours are awful and the pay will be way less.
Thank you
I am currently a full time at my job in New Jersey and will be moving to PA and will be getting transfered. the only availbale hours are part time. if i take the part time hours will i be able to collect partial benefits of unemployment?
ive applied to unemployment about three weeks ago.ive gotten one letter from them and nothing else.i was supposed to file my claim on the first but it says i must have a pin code to do so….ive recieved no pin code to put in.its next to impossible to get thru that number to ask any questions or find out my status…believe me ive tried i call multible times a day and always get a busy signal no matter what time of day or day of the week….any suggestions would help….thanks
I have owned and operated a personal care home in PA for 27 years and the state is making us close it as of Dec. 31 2012. This is not my choice. Am I eligible in PA for unemployment
I Worked for a company based out of Pennsylvania but live in Virginia. Am I able to file for benefits in Pennsylvania?
If I can collect euc now, when I become eligibke for a regular claim will I be able to stop the euc and get the regular claim or will I be forced to continue euc?
I have had issues in work recently. I filed official harassment complaint then two weeks later I was charged with rule violations that occurred prior to my harassment letter. I will be facing a 45 day suspension without pay possibly. I feel I was unjustly charged and this is direction retaliation for my complaint. I am also able to grieve this matter as well. My question is am I able to file for unemployment in Pa during my suspension? Thank You
You can file. If it is determined you are at fault and have been paid unemployment – you will owe unemployment. If you win and the company pays yu for te time and unemployment has paid you for the same time you will owe unemployment. Talk to an unemployment rep.
I am presently collecting benefits from SC which are set to expire mid January, my benefit year ends in July 2013. If the UC benefits are not extended can I file to open up a new claim in another state that I have worked in during the past year. I worked in PA from 9/10 to 10/22 and two other states since April of 2011. Presently I am a resident of TN but living temporarily on FL. My next job isn’t scheduled to begin until 3/4/2013 in OH.
Thank you,
Jim
Someone in our company heard that you can no longer collect severance benefits and unemployment comp simultaneously. Is that true?
This is not entirely true-there is a cap on severance allowances regarding unemployment compensation. You can be offered up to a certain dollar value before your unemployment compensation is in question. Refer to your handbook with any questions!
I was on unemployment for almost 12 months. That ended in July of 2012 I started working full time starting the last week of July 2012 and was just rescently temporarily laid off do to seasonal work availability. I will be called back no later than April 1, 2013. Can I collect unemployment benefits for the period of 12/14/12 thru 3/30/13.
I have been working as a temp at a pharmaceutical company for almost 6 years and the job was obtained through an agency. My job is ending 12/28/12 and I do not want to get another job through the agency, instead I want to find a job on my own and one as an employee and not a temp. I am 66 years old and do not want to work far from home so if the agancy says they have a temp job do I have to take it or will I lose my unemployment benefit. Do I have to obtain a job through the agency in order to collect unemployment.
How long after filing your claim do you receive a determination after being fired in Philadelphia?
i live in ohio, now laid off ,worked alittle in ohio but most of my time is in Pa. how do i sign up for Pa. unemployment
I filed a claim this past weekend and have yet to receive any information in regards to my claim and when to call in or what to do. I only worked 1 day this week and am very concerned what do I need to do from this point on. Can you inform me please if I need to call in My SS# is an even ending number. I can be reached via email or 814-236-1124 Thank You Lee Wriglesworth
I am in a situation where I will probably be terminated from my job soon..I wanted to know if its possible to draw unemployment and also
attend schoo.I don’t know what the laws are in Pa..Do you have any answeres for me or can tell me where i can find them..
DON’T CANCEL YOUR APPLICATION BECAUSE YOU CAN’T GET THROUGH TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE. IF YOU HAVE A CAREER LINK IN YOUR AREA GO THERE THEY HAVE DIRECT LINES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE. ALL YOU DO I PICK UP THE PHONE AND A PERSON WILL BE ON IN 2-5 MINS Hope this information is helpful for everyone!
Since I can’t get anything other than a busy signal and I have other things that need my time. How do I cancel an application?
I resigned from a job in TX to move to PA for better educational services for my 2 children with special needs. I have not been able to find work in my area of experience. Am I eligible for unemployment benefits? Thank you for responding
I filed a claim yesterday. I put the wrong date on the question when will you will be recalled to work. After I did this I was recalled to work. Can this be changed?
I worked in Pennsylvania from May to September 2012, but my benefits was paid in WV. The company I worked for in based in WV, and I also live in WV. Would I be eligible to open a claim in Pennsylvania
The only way you will get through to the unemployment office is to go to the nearest PA careerlink and call from there. They have direct lines to the unemployment office.
Someone from there called me this morning, left a message for me to call back by 3 pm. I accidentally deleted the email with the persons name. She said she needed more information and if I didn’t call back she will have to make a determination without me. I have been trying to call in ever since and keep getting a busy signal, how can I help with my claim if I can’t get through. Then it will be my fault and I will be punished.
In pa Are wages reported on a 1099s used to determin the quartley earnings
I had a full knee replacement and will be off work for 2-3 months. I am currently getting 2/3 of my pay from a short term disability. Can I receive any benefits from unemployment to make up the difference ?
ANYONE THAT NEEDS TO CONTRACT THE PA UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE WITHOUT GETTING A BUSY SIGNAL…..GO TO THE NEAREST CAREER LINK AND CALL FROM THERE. ALL YOU DO IS PICK UP A PHONE AND A PERSON IS ON IN LESS THEN 2-5 MINS. IT IS TO FRUSTRATING TO CALL FROM HOME IT IS ALWAYS BUSY!
Why is it for two weeks now the phone number is always busy during the given call in hours. I am not the only one to complain about this and the complaints seem to be falling on deaf ears. Also the number given to fax in forms does the same thing, rings constantly busy. Some help would be great before disgruntled people take the issue to the capitol building and get the answers we despirately need. This is our livelyhood and familys that are also being hurt because of busy phone lines and no responses otherwise.
Mary Lou-who told you this? I am pretty sure that unemployment tax is a mandatory witholding tax in any state. I found this:
Federal law requires most employees, including those in Pennsylvania, to pay federal income tax, Social Security tax and Medicare tax according to the tax rates in the respective year’s Circular E. An employer is required to pay federal unemployment tax and Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Read more: Pennsylvania Employment Taxes | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8109159_pennsylvania-employment-taxes.html#ixzz2L4y2UG99
I worked for a company for 25 years. I was laid off and tried to collect unemployment compensation, but found ,out they never took unemployment out of my wages and am therefore not eligible. Is this correct?
I was cuworking a driver job and entered rehab for alcoholism in december. b4 entering my work as a dump truck driver slowed down. my boss was only going to work me 2 dys a week and he said for me to start collecting UE benefits. i filed claim but was denied due to fact that i was on workers comp for the year 2011. i was in rehab 33 dys and was told by counselors that i needed extended care in florida. during extended care my boss cancelled insurance benefits. IS THAT LEGAL TO STOP BENEFITS DURING TREATMENT FOR A DISEASE?I AM CURRENTLY in a sober living house and expect to move back home but dont know if i am still employed by employer.AM I STILL ELIGIBLE TO COLLECT UC BENEFITS DURING THIS TIME AND TIME DURING REHAB?? Thank You Tim VF
Can I apply for unemployment if I am furlough for more than 5 days?
I got suspended and ask to go home they never call me back so I call them and they told me I was fired couse I was making problem at work two days later they fired the guy I had problem with I lost my job I have bills to pay and till now they having gave me a reason why I got fired
I am working in NY. If I get laid off I can’t afford to live here and will move home to PA. Do I file for unemployment in Pa
As long as you are qualified in New York and cleared with them that you are moving to Pennsylvania and compiled with their conditions, you can file for unemployment in New York itself.
I work for the federal government. we are getting furloughed. am i eligible for unemployment benefits
was denied unemployment because old employer did not hand in hours worked?did not find out till after time allowed for an appeal..Can i reapply for unemployment since i meet all the requirements? (have proof of enough work credits worked)…Have filed a late appeal but it states it is for the timeliness of the appeal.Am i at fault for not knowing hours where not on my determination because uc or employer did not put them on my determination?
I am currently on unpaid maternity leave from my part time job. I was collecting unemployment while working part time but because I was “unavailable for work” during my maternity leave I was unable to collect while on leave. If I do not go back to my part time job am I still eligible to continue collecting unemployment?
i was told by my employer that i am out of service and cannot return to work on 3/14/2013 indefinately but did not receive a termination letter or told that i am fired. can i file for benefits? also i have a 17 week waiting period to collect and i have satisfied my overpayment balance. How do i file an appeal for my waiting weeks to be dismissed??
Hello. My current employer put me on a Performance improvement plan in January and its a 30,60,90 day. Well I failed to meet 1 of the 7 action items to improve upon (most important one in their eyes) Termination is most likely scenario and has been discussed. They have given me an option to resign in Leiu of Termination and receive a small severance. Am I eligible for unemployment if I resign? I have all the documentation of my performance plan and a few emails stating my options?
I have worked enough weeks according to your guidelines and I was told that I did not qualify for unemployment. I spoke to a person who has worked for unemployment in the state welfare office ans she told me I did qualify based on the time I have worked. I have no job although I am actively looking. I don’t have any paycheck stubs but I don’t understand since I have worked for the time specified in the guidelines
What kind of comment is asked for? I was termed after nearly 26 years of service for the same company and told I can’t even get my life insurance for nearly 8 years. I have nothing at this point. Wife left for no real reason about 2 years ago. No income now. Moved my mother in, as she asked for back then. Got her better. Now she believes she is able to live on her own. The last time she had “assisted living” it cost me money out of my pocket.
if i am employed part time like 30-36 hrs a week can i claim unemployyment since my job is seasonal?
Can I collect partical unemployment if I only work 27hrs. a week? If so how do I do that.
Hi Randy,
You are mostly eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Go ahead and file your initial claim by filling in necessary details accurately.
I took my social security retirement at age 62. I was working full time and reduced myself to part time. Now the company I worked for is shutting down the transportation department I worked for. Can I still collect unemployment and my social security while looking for another part time job?
Hi Jonathan,
You might be eligible to receive unemployment benefits as you are loosing a job through no fault of your own.
I exhausted all of my unemployment and was rehired. I worked 14 weeks and was laid off again, can I collect??
Hi Angela,
You may be able to collect benefits. Please check if you have earned the minimum wages to qualify for unemployment compensation.
Can you collect unemployment benefits when you have a pension.What kind of pension reduces you benefit and by how much?
Hi Paul,
You can collect unemployment benefits while collecting pension. You are required to report all pensions, including retirement, retired pay, annuities or other similar periodic payments and lump-sum pension payments.
Pension payments may be deductible if -
(1) the pension is paid from a plan contributed to or maintained by a base-year employer and
(2) your work during the base year increased the amount of, or affected your eligibility for, the pension.
If the employer alone contributed to the pension, 100 percent of the prorated, weekly amount of the pension is deductible. If you contributed in any amount to the pension, 50 percent of the prorated, weekly pension amount is deductible. Pensions are deductible from weekly benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The partial benefit credit is not applicable.
The following pension payments are NOT deductible:
(1) A lump-sum pension payment, if you did not have the option of receiving monthly or periodic payments
(2) A lump-sum pension payment that is rolled over into an eligible retirement plan, such as an IRA, within 60 days of receipt of the payment. If you roll over only a part of a lump-sum payment, that portion of the lump-sum that is not rolled over is deductible
(3) Social Security and Railroad Retirement pensions
Hello. I am on deployment right now with the PA NG and don’t have a job on hold for my return. when I left I was a temporary technician at my unit to become more knowledgable in my army job prior to leaving. I left home august 2012 and will return August or September this year. wasn’t sure if I would be qualified for unemployment in the chance that I can’t get a job soon enough and was wondering if you could possibly help me. thank you for your time.
I am a US citizen residing in Denmark. I am attempting to file my US taxes (tax year 2012). However, being here in Europe, i cannot find any links to calculate the amount of UC benefits I received while I was in the US. I received UC in Pennsylvania for January, February and March 2012.I relocated to Denmark in April, 2012.