Losing a job can be very frustrating, especially when it’s no fault of yours. A circumstance beyond one’s control can make it so – Covid-19 is a perfect example of such a situations.
Most people ask when they lose their job, “how do I file for unemployment”? And while there is a simple answer to this, we’ve narrowed it down to address unemployment in PA.
This article will help residents of PA to understand how to file for unemployment, the requirement they need to file it, and the eligibility they must meet to be able to file for unemployment in PA.
We will also look at the benefits you are eligible for if you meet all the requirements, how you can calculate your benefit, and so much more.
Table of contents
- What is an Unemployment Claim?
- How do I file for Unemployment Online in PA?
- Tools to help you file for Unemployment in PA
- Unemployment Compensation
- Process Review
- Who is the Unemployment Insurance Meant for?
- How Much does PA Unemployment Benefit Pay?
- How does PA Unemployment Insurance Calculate Benefits?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendation
What is an Unemployment Claim?
According to Investopedia, the term unemployment claim refers to the request for cash benefits made by an individual after being laid off. Claims are filed through state governments, in this case, through the PA unemployment office for temporary payments after people lose their jobs through no fault.
An unemployment claim is a request for monetary compensation made by an employee after being laid off or for other circumstances covered by the law, such as the COVID-19 epidemic.
Unemployed PA residents who lose their jobs due to no fault may be eligible for unemployment compensation.
PA state pays unemployment insurance by collecting employer payments, while the federal government covers administrative expenditures.
Individuals eligible for benefits can get up to 26 weeks of payments if they file regular claims.
Unemployment payments for people laid off during the COVID-19 outbreak expired on September 5, 2021.
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How do I file for Unemployment Online in PA?
You can file unemployment online in PA by going to their official website. Be careful to ensure that you don’t click on a fraudulent website. Remember, no one will ask for your bank or card details.
To get started, you will need the documents below:
Personal Information:
- SSN
- Home address and mailing address (if different)
- Telephone number
- Valid email
- Keystone ID and Password, if available
- Direct deposit bank information (optional) – bank name, address, account, and routing number.
However, there are times when additional information might be needed. For a complete list, view our requirements checklist.
Information about Separating Employer:
- Employer’s name, address, and phone number
- Employer’s PA UC account number (if known)
- First and last days worked with the employer.
- Reason for leaving
- Pension or severance package information (if applicable)
Tools to help you file for Unemployment in PA
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): A resource to help answer any questions about filing or receiving unemployment compensation benefits, including eligibility, how your weekly benefit is calculated, and more.
- Self-service Step-by-step Instructions: These step-by-step guides and instructions will guide you through many UC online services, including how to file an initial claim biweekly and more.
You should file your UC initial claim application using one of the following methods:
- Online: An online application can be filed using their secure website seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
- Telephone: An application can be filed on the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 1-888-313-7284.
- Videophone service: For individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL), 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 through the Videophone.
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Unemployment Compensation
We will look at the eligibility requirement and benefits if you meet the eligibility status.
Eligibility
These resources can help you decide if you may be eligible:
We cannot say if you are eligible, ineligible, or your repayment until you file an initial application. Your eligibility will ultimately be based on the information provided by you and your employer(s).
Benefits
Unemployment benefits are calculated as a percentage of your average pay over a recent 52-week period. Here’s how you can calculate your weekly benefit rate.
If you are eligible for benefits, you should receive your first benefit payment within four weeks after the effective date of your application, provided you file your weekly certifications on time.
Moving forward, you’ll receive a payment within two to three days after filing your weekly certification.
Process Review
You must follow the following steps to get or file for unemployment in PA.
#1. File Initial Application
If you file online, you’ll receive a confirmation page and a confirmation email at the end of the online application. This email will include the date you will need to file your continued claim — also called your weekly certification.
No matter what day of the week you submit your initial claim, it will be effective on Sunday. Your initial claim will remain active for one year. Between 18 and 26 full weeks of benefit, payments will be available if you are eligible for benefits (see the calculation of weekly benefit rate explanation).
#2. Receive Claim Confirmation Letter via your UC Dashboard Communication Preference
Your 4-digit PIN will only be necessary to file your weekly claim if you file via the PA Teleclaims (PAT).
#3. File Weekly Certification
You will file weekly certifying your eligibility for each week separately. For UC purposes, a week is a calendar week that begins Sunday and ends Saturday.
You’ll file online or using PA Teleclaims (PAT) by calling 888-255-4728.
It can take several weeks to approve your first weekly certification if there is a UC eligibility issue with your employment. You should continue to file weekly certifications during this time.
Moving forward, you’ll receive a payment within two to three days after filing your weekly certification. If you file on:
- Sunday = funds available by Tuesday
- Monday = funds available by Wednesday
- Tuesday = funds available by Thursday
- Wednesday = funds available by Friday
- Thursday = funds available by Monday
- Friday or Saturday = funds available by Tuesday
Note: Payments may be delayed if an eligibility issue must be resolved before payment can be made.
Don’t forget to file your weekly certification, or you could lose your benefits.
#4. Receive Financial Determination Letter
Keep this letter in a safe place. It states your financial eligibility. Financial determination letters are typically received within three business days via your UC Dashboard communication preference.
The financial determination letter will tell you:
- Your benefit year begins date AND the date your benefit year expires.
- Your weekly benefit amount and eligible weeks AND how they were calculated.
- How much will you receive if you are unemployed, and how to estimate your partial benefits for part-time work?
#5. Claim Issues
If there is an issue with your claim, the system will ask you to contact our team. Please do so via your UC dashboard. For specific questions about your claim, provide your full name (as it appears on your claim, including any suffix used) and the last four digits of your Social Security Number and submit via email at [email protected].
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Who is the Unemployment Insurance Meant for?
It’s meant for everyone eligible for it. Such a person or several persons must be a resident of Pennsylvania. In some cases, he or she must also be unemployed and have worked in Pennsylvania for the past 12 months or more.
Additionally, such a person must have earned minimum wages determined by Pennsylvania guidelines. He or she must also actively seek employment while collecting the benefit.
How Much does PA Unemployment Benefit Pay?
Wages are usually one-half of your full-time wage.
However, Suppose the weekly benefit rate shown on your Notice of Financial Determination is not one-half of your gross full-time weekly wage, and your rate is not the highest on the Rate and Amount of UC Benefits chart. In that case, you may qualify for a higher weekly benefit rate.
You will need to file an appeal on time if you want your benefit calculated based on your full-time wage. This appeal will be addressed to the Notice of Financial Determination.
You must also obtain a redetermination from the UC service center.
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How does PA Unemployment Insurance Calculate Benefits?
Each individual’s UC claim is usually based on his or her earnings while with the employer, or several employers as the case may be.
Such an employer would be referred to as a “base-year employer .”What it means to be a base employer is that you’d be responsible for the unemployment claim.
Additionally, it means that as the base employer, your wages were paid to that UC claimant on a date within the base year.
Benefits claims are calculated using the earnings a claimant is eligible for during the year of the claim.
A base year of a UC claim is a year.
FAQs
To estimate your weekly benefit rate, go to Calculating the Weekly Benefit Rate, then select the Rate and Amount of Benefits Table.
The PA UC Law contains a provision to automatically adjust benefit payments when the balance in the UC Trust Fund is low. Benefit payments for compensable weeks before January 6, 2018, were reduced by 1.7 percent.
Conclusion
If you’ve read this, you would have understood how to file for unemployment in PA and the requirements you must fulfill.
References
Recommendation
