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Pennsylvania

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on August 13, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Pennsylvania, we recommend that you visit Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania, the United Way's COVID-19 Resources or the Pennsylvania Chamber's Business Resources for Coronavirus.

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Description of Program and Relief

Waiver of Active-Search Requirements Associated with Unemployment Compensation Program

Typically, to be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits in Pennsylvania, claimants must register for employment-search services provided by the Commonwealth and actively search for work during every week for which they seek benefits. Both of these requirements have been temporarily suspended for all unemployment compensation claimants.

Government or Lead Agency

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Dates Available

Effective March 16, 2020, continuing indefinitely. (However, at this time, unemployment compensation is available for a maximum period of 26 weeks.)

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

This measure removes certain requirements that typically apply to unemployment compensation claims in Pennsylvania. For information on eligibility requirements and restrictions that continue to apply to such claims, refer to the page on Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Program.

Contact for More Information

Unemployment Compensation Program – Phone: 1-888-313-7284

Unemployment Compensation Program – Videophone (for ASL users): 717-704-8474

List of Additional Information

Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Handbook:

https://www.uc.pa.gov/Documents/UCP%20Forms/ucp-1.pdf

Online Application and Guide for Filing an Initial Claim:

https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/file/Pages/File%20an%20Initial%20Claim.aspx

Self-Service Step-by-Step Instructions:

https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/Pages/Self-Service%20Step-by-Step%20Instructions.aspx

Claimant FAQs:

https://www.uc.pa.gov/faq/claimant/Pages/default.aspx

Claim Filing Online Assistant:

https://www.iorad.com/player/116155/How-File-an-Initial-Unemployment-Compensation-Claim


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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