How to Apply For Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
In Pennsylvania, "the Keystone State," unemployment insurance is provided by the Department of Labor & Industry for state residents hoping for financial compensation while they search for new work. Get help while you are looking for a job! Pennsylvania unemployment checks can be collected for up to 72 weeks after losing your job.
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Instructions
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Lose your job through no fault of your own, and meet other insurance qualifications. There are many reasons for being let go that may disqualify you from collecting unemployment. Your former employer will be contacted about the reasons for your termination. There are also financial qualifications. A Notice of Financial Determination will be sent to you shortly after your initial unemployment claim that will outline your financial eligibility.
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Prepare the data you will need to fill out an initial claim for compensation. You will need: your Social Security Number, contact information for the employer that let you go (name, address and phone number), the time period during which you worked for that employer, the reason for losing your job, and an alien registration number if not a United States citizen.
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File an initial claim in one of three ways:
- Through an online form at the link below (under "Resources"). This option is available at all times.
- Over the phone at 1-888-313-7284. Call between 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or between 7 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. If you have a Social Security Number ending in an even number, you should call on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday. If you have a SSN ending in an odd number, you should call on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
- Through the mail. A downloadable PDF form is available under "Resources" and mailing addresses are included in it.You will be e-mailed when your Pennsylvania unemployment claim has been received and you will get mail after it has been processed (should be within 10 to 12 days). This e-mail will include a PIN number that will log you in to the telephone and online systems for filing claims. There is one week waiting period before you can begin collecting checks.
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Begin to file biweekly claims for unemployment after being granted status. There are two options for doing so. The first is online at the link below (check "Resources"). Use the PIN number assigned to you to log into the system. You can also file by phone at 1-888-255-4728. The telephone system, Pennsylvania Teleclaims or PAT, is open on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Once again, if you have a Social Security Number ending in an even number, you should call PAT on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday. If you have a SSN ending in an odd number, you should call on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
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Report all earnings in your biweekly claim. This means work you have done in the previous two weeks that you were compensated for. These earnings will affect the amount of money you are paid in that unemployment benefits cycle.
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Tips & Warnings
Continue to look for employment while you are signed up for this aid program. Pennsylvania CareerLink will help you in the search by using information you shared on your initial application to match you up with jobs that may fit. You will receive mail about these opportunities when matches are made.
File for Pennsylvania unemployment benefits in the first week after losing your job.
Unemployment insurance is taxed. You may choose to have 10% of your biweekly check withheld, if desirable.
Resources
- Photo Credit Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
