Pennsylvania Unemployment Application

Pennsylvania Unemployment Application

Applicants who wish to open a new claim for Pennsylvania unemployment insurance can do so by either calling the Unemployment Insurance Agency or through the Internet. However, the option to file your claim through the internet is  available 24X7.

Apply for Unemployment Benefits – Pennsylvania

CALL: Please contact 888-313-7284.

Each UC service center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Mondays are traditionally a heavy call day. Please note – If your SSN ends in an odd number — 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 — please call the service center for assistance on Monday. If your SSN ends in an even number — 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 — please call on Tuesday. The UC service centers will continue to accept calls from claimants with any SSN on Thursdays and Fridays.

Visit a PA Job Center

Prepare your documents:

Keep the following information ready before filing an initial claim

  • The Social Security number and your PIN (received in the mail)
  • The PA Driver’s license number, if you have one
  • The Employer Information Form, if you have one. Or else, just the name and address of your employer(s)
  • The most recent pay stub which helps in determining your benefits
  • The gross amount earned for the work performed during a week. Also, if you were absent from work for a week, then the gross amount you would have earned for the week
  • The gross amount of vacation pay, if any, for the away week

How To File

You can file your applications or reopen your existing UI claim for UC benefits by the following methods

  • Online: You can fill an online application, which is accessible 24X7
  • Telephone: You can call the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 1-888-313-7284 (TTY services for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-888-334-4046).
  • Paper Form: You can file a paper application which is to be downloaded and mailed or faxed to a UC service center receiving applications from your County
  • Videophone service: Videophone service is available every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at 717-704-8474. (*Sign language is the ONLY means of communication provided in this service)

Apply for UI Benefits to the corresponding offices

Based on the County in which you live, you can send your application to the following office addresses to:

If you reside in these Counties:Then Application should be mailed to:
Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery, NorthamptonAllentown UC Service Center 160 W. Hamilton St., Ste 500 Allentown, PA 18101-1994
Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, LebanonLancaster UC Service Center 36 East Grant Ave. Lancaster, PA 17602
Bucks, Crawford, Erie, Forest, McKean, Philadelphia, Venango, WarrenErie UC Service Center 1316 State St. Erie, PA 16501-1978
Adams, Blair, Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Cumberland, Dauphin, Elk, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Potter, YorkAltoona UC Service Center 1101 Green Ave. Altoona, PA 16601-3483
Bradford, Carbon, Clinton, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, WyomingScranton UC Service Center 30 Stauffer Industrial Park Taylor, PA 18517-9625
Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Butler, Franklin, Fulton, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, WestmorelandIndiana UC Service Center 630 Kolter Dr. Indiana, PA 15701-3570
Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, WashingtonDuquesne UC Service Center 14 N. Linden St. Duquesne, PA 15110-1067

If you have any doubts regarding the filing process or related matters, you can call the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 1-888-313-7284. For Bi-weekly claims, the toll-free numbers are 888-255-4728 and 877-888-8104 (Spanish).

Helpful additional information to have ready:

  • Full name, mailing address, phone number
  • Wages earned during base period
  • Employment history during base period, which includes
    • Names of all employers you worked for
    • Address, contact details of base period employers
    • Start and end dates of jobs held during base period
  • Veteran/Military separation date
  • Alien registration number, if you are not a citizen of U.S.

How to log in to the UC System

The UC system is your one-stop portal for items related to your unemployment claim and subsequent benefits. Once you’ve set up your initial account, you can log in anytime by inputting your username and password. If you forget them at any point, you can select Forgot Username/Password. Please note that if you fail to log into the system for more than one month, you automatically will be prompted to reset your password when you try to log in.

If you forget your password, before a reset link can be sent to you, you’ll be prompted to answer questions about your account, which helps verify your identity. The answers to your questions must correspond with the information the UC system has on file in connection with your unemployment compensation claim. Much the same is true if you forget your username – you’ll answer a series of questions, reset your password and gain access to your account. Once you select Forgot Username/Password, you’ll have the option to indicate whether you’ve forgotten your username, your password, or both. Simply follow the prompts as presented to regain access to your account.

What is ID.me?

ID.me

ID.me is a federally certified and widely trusted security platform that allows you to log securely into the UC online system. With ID.me’s digital identity verification, the state of Pennsylvania can feel confident that when you log into your account, it’s actually you and not someone pretending to be you.

The first step in using ID.me to log into the UC system is setting up your initial identity verification. You can undertake this process at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Simply go to the UC system dashboard and log in as directed or set up a new account if you don’t have an existing one. Then, confirm both your information and that you’d like to submit a new claim. When prompted, select Verify with ID.me, which will allow you to set up an ID.me account. Please note that if you’ve previously set up an ID.me account for another purpose, you can use it here as well. You do not have to create a new account specifically for the UC system.

If you’re setting up a new account, follow the self-guided process to set up your ID.me account and verify your identity. Most users can set up and verify their accounts fairly easily within just a few minutes. If you run into any trouble with setting up your account, you can have your identity verified through a live video chat with an ID.me customer representative. You may have to wait up to 30 minutes to connect with a representative. In the meantime, you also can visit the ID.me help site at help.id.me/ to see if you can find an answer to your questions.

Once your ID.me account is set up and verified, you can use it not only for logging into the UC system, but also for any other site that partners with ID.me for identity verification.

Furthermore, adding to the resources, know in detail what to do when you’re unemployed in Pennsylvania and Calculate your benefits for knowing how much projected amount you’re eligible to receive.

Unemployed? Check your eligibility for unemployment benefits

  1. I make 6000 per month in Maryland I am a 1099 worker, could I get unemployment? as I will be laid off in May. if I could get it when should I apply

    • Hi, David – wage and employment laws in Maryland do not apply to workers classified as independent contractors. You can go ahead and apply, but depending on the nature of your work relationship, if the state of Maryland determines that you should be considered an independent contractor, you will not be eligible for benefits. If it classifies your role as that of employee, you may be eligible for benefits if you meet all other eligibility criteria.

  2. I was working at my job for 9 years. I was offered a new job with better pay ect. I only worked there for 3 weeks and the boss came in and said he needs to let me go after only being there for 3 weeks. I made 4K in those 3 weeks. Can I get unemployment because he let me go and didn’t give me a reason as to why?

    • You may not know until you apply. The key requirement for unemployment is that you lose your job through no fault of your own. That’s fairly straightforward with a layoff, etc., but a lot will depend on the reason your employer provides for your termination. If they say they fired you for cause, it’s unlikely your claim will be approved. You might call the Pennsylvania unemployment office to talk with someone about the specifics of your situation.

  3. I was laid off on January 15, 2019 and will have 2 more paychecks and a severance check coming in the next several wekeks. With my last day of work being Jan. 15, 2019, and I do not know the amount of the last 2 checks, Should I file my initial claim when I get my last check?

  4. I have been having health problems,,COPD,Cellulitis.In both Legs,Heart Problems,Leaking Aortic Valve..This has been going on for two years,,I can not work as much as I have in the past some days I cant work at all due to shortness of breath,Can I file a claim for partial unemployment,,My Employer has been working with me and letting me work when I can but I’m getting way behind on the bills any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

    • Greg,

      Hope you get well soon. You may not be eligible since unemployment insurance is only extended to those who become unemployed due to involuntary reasons.

      Please call the Unemployment Office.

  5. I am about to get my hours reduced at work. I will have reduced hours starting the week of Feb 13. I was wondering when I should file my initial claim for Unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania.

    • You can be eligible to claim partial Unemployment Benefits for the reduced hours.

      Please consider applying to compensate.

  6. I have worked at my current employment since October 2015 and have earned about $6000 over the first 4 of the previous 5 quarters. In the beginning of January, the owner of the business made the decision to shorten operating hours from 7 days a week to 4 days. Further, he has reduced me to one shift (6-8 hours) per week. I am the senior employee at the business, and I requested more hours, and he has refused. I can’t live off what I am making.
    Am I eligible for unemployment?

    • Instead of quitting voluntarily, you can be eligible to apply for partial Unemployment Benefits towards the hours lost.

  7. i’m 77 yrs old my daughter moved in with me with a 5yr old child, she has a part time job i can’t work anymore because of my healt, in 2012 i had lung cancer surgey, is there any comp for me, thanks frank

    • Unfortunately, the system does not consider personal reasons. Your daughter may not be eligible to claim.

      Please inquire further with the Unemployment Office in your state.

  8. I have never had to apply for unemployment before. I was fired yesterday. Do I need to go and apply in person at a unemployment center or can I apply on;ine?

  9. My hours have been cut to 30 hours a week Can I collect for the 40 hours a month that I am not receiving?

  10. I was laid off November 9, 2013 and I have been receiving severance while looking for work. Once my severance is gone, how soon can i apply for unemployment if I am still unemployed? Can I apply 10 weeks prior to when the severance runs out to get the application started? Please advise. Thank you

    • You don’t have to apply so much in advance.

      Initial claims will take upto 10 days to be processed if everything is in place.Consider applying about 2 weeks before severance runs out.

  11. I’ve worker for the state of NJ for the past 11 years. I was just recently suspended with pay pending an investigation. This is because I began a friendly relationship over text messages, that became more than friendly. Although the relationship never exceeded text messages, I never reported the texting to my supervisor a violation of policy. As a result I resigned my position. Would I be able to qualify for unemployment?

  12. How do get my pin and verify that my online application was processed? I cannot get into anything online without knowing mu pin…

    • I have no idea if I have completed the form correctly for unemployment. How do I go about finding out that the information was input correctly.

      • If you filed online, please revisit the web page and recheck.

        The best way to confirm the submission is by calling the Claims Center.

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