If you are a federal employee in Pennsylvania who has been laid off or terminated, you should apply for unemployment compensation. You can apply for benefits the same way that other unemployed workers apply, by calling the UC Service Center at 1-888-313-7284 or online at uc.pa.gov.
Federal employees receive benefits through a special program known as Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE). The eligibility guidelines and application process are the same as for other workers, but there are a few extra items you must submit:
- Standard Form 8, Notice to Federal Employe About Unemployment Compensation (provided by your employer)
- Standard Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, or its equivalent (provided by your employer)
- Pay stubs from 15 months prior to your last date of work (the state unemployment office may not have records of your wages)
- W-2
- W-4 or Withholding Tax Statement
If you apply over the phone, request information on how to submit these documents. If you apply online you should be able to submit them through your online dashboard.
If you have any further questions you can call the Philadelphia Unemployment Project at 215-557-0822.
