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Applying
To file online, Click Here.
If you have worked during the past 18 months and you are unemployed or had your hours reduced, you need to call the Unemployment Compensation Service Center or go online to file a new claim or reopen a claim. On October 2, 2000 all Unemployment Compensation offices in the Philadelphia area were closed. Instead of going to an office, you have to call 1-888-313-7284 Monday-Friday (8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) to file a new claim or reopen an old claim. The TTY access number for the deaf and hard of hearing is 1-888-334-4046. Videophone service for individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) is available every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at (717) 704-8474. Spanish speaking claimants should call 1-877-888-8104.
After completing your application, you must register within 30 days for employment-search services online with PA Careerlink . It is recommended that you do this immediately. Be sure that the registration is complete. If you do not complete the registration process within 30 days, your benefits will be stopped.
Additionally, if you do qualify for benefits, there is a weekly work search requirement, detailed here.
The Service Center receives the most calls on Mondays, so you might get faster service if you call Tuesday through Friday, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons. All Unemployment Compensation matters are now handled over the phone or online. There are no offices to visit in person.
When you call the Service Center, an automated message gives you several options to choose from including: file a new claim, reopen an existing claim or speak with a representative, change your ID.ME information, TRA claims or CR (railroad workers) claims, work determination, help with the teleclaims (PAT) system, or unemployment fraud. If you do not have a touch-tone phone, you should stay on the line and a representative will pick up. The information that you should have ready is:
- Social Security Number
- Name and address of last employer
- Your most recent pay stub
- Date of last day of work
- Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
- Valid driver’s license number if you have one
After you finish the call, you may be sent paperwork that you must complete and return to the Service Center. You can come to PUP and use the fax machine to fax this information to the Service Center or upload it online in your dashboard. After they have received your information, you will receive three separate notifications: a Notice of Financial Determination, a Claim Confirmation Letter, and an Unemployment Compensation Handbook. You should receive this information within ten working days of filing your claim. The Notice of Financial Determination will list your wages earned over a certain time period, will tell you if you are financially eligible based on these wages, and will tell you how much money you will get each week. If you want to appeal the information listed, you will have fifteen days from the date of the Notice to appeal.
Once you have opened your claim, you must file a weekly certification for benefits each week you are claiming for UC. You must file each week through one of three acceptable methods to receive your UC benefits:
- Call the UC Service Center at 1-888-313-7284 and select option 2 to speak to a representative
- File online by logging into your dashboard
- Call the Pennsylvania Teleclaims (PAT) number at 888-255-4728 for English or 877-888-8104 for Spanish
Waiting For the First Check
- No one is eligible for the first week that they are unemployed. This is called the ‘Waiting Week’. Once you begin receiving benefits, you should receive your money a few days after each certification.
- If the UC office is delaying your payment because the employer hasn’t responded to the request for information on why you left work, the UC office should make a decision within two weeks based on what you have told them. If the employer disagrees with the determination they may appeal.
- If five (5) weeks have passed and you still have not received a determination, call PUP’s office at 215-557-0822 as we may be able to help get your review sped up.
- If you are on UC for federal employees (UCFE) the UC office should make a decision using your pay stubs and W-2 form to determine what your benefit will be. Click here for more information on filing as a federal employee.
Next: Filing an Appeal
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