Pennsylvania Unemployment

Do I qualify for unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania?

You may be entitled to benefits if you meet these eligibility requirements:

• You are unemployed through no fault of your own or due to a work stoppage that is the result of a lockout.
• You have filed an initial application for UC benefits.
• You performed services covered by the UC Law for an employer that is required by the UC Law or elects to pay into the UC Fund.
• You earned enough wages to qualify and have sufficient credit weeks. A credit week is any calendar week in the base year for which you earned $50 or more.
• You are registered for work with the Pennsylvania CareerLink.
• You are able to work and available for suitable work.
• You are unemployed for a waiting period of one week after filing the initial application for benefits.

How do I file for Pennsylvania unemployment benefits?

To file an application for unemployment benefits, you will be asked to provide:

• social security number
• PA Department of Transportation photo ID
• alien registration number (for non-United States citizens)
• the name and address of last employer (full or part-time)
• most recent pay stub

Unemployed workers may file their applications or reopen their existing claims for UC benefits at https://www.paclaims.state.pa.us/UCEN/Welcome.asp or by calling the UC Service Centers network, 1-888-313-7284, or by downloading a paper Initial Claim form or Reopen Claim form from https://www.paclaims.state.pa.us/UCEN/Welcome.asp. Re-employment opportunities and job search assistance are offered in local PA CareerLink offices.

Contact Information

Website

https://www.paclaims.state.pa.us/UCEN/Welcome.asp

Email Contact

uc-news@state.pa.us.

Phone Number

1-888-313-7284

If you have filed an application for UC benefits within the last year, and have a specific question about your claim or your eligibility, call the UC Service center:

• 1-888-313-7284
• 1-888-334-4046 TTY (deaf or hard of hearing)

UC Service Center telephone services are available from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. each work day and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you have not filed an application for UC benefits within the last year, and have general questions about UC or you have questions about your UC-1099G (Statement for Recipients of PA UC Payments) provided for income tax purposes, browse through our Web site or call the Claims Information Center:

• (717) 783-3140
• 1-800-577-7216 TTY (deaf or hard of hearing)

Claims Information Center telephone services are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each work day.