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Pa. Dept. of Labor & Industry provides update on PUA, PEUC issues

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The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has provided an update on issues and fixes related to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.The information below is from L&I:PUAThe PUA program extension rollout on Jan. 22 has alerted L&I of multiple issues with our system that we are working to correct.Issues and fixesIf eligible, funds were released for claimants who previously filed for the weeks of Jan 2., Jan. 9 and Jan. 16.Some claimants were experiencing a USCIS issue related to residency (permanent resident versus U.S. citizen) which is actively being worked on.We added the 2020 base year for claimants who applied for PUA after Dec. 27. New claimants will receive individual messaging on next steps through the PUA dashboard. Once verified and any outstanding issues have been resolved, payments will be released.L&I is actively working to resolve the outstanding issues and will provide regular updates on the program status. Affected claimants do not need to take any action at this time. PEUCAfter the PEUC program extension rollout on Jan. 24, L&I identified and fixed the missing PEUC claim weeks for individuals who last filed benefits for the week on Dec. 26, 2020.Issues and fixesSome PEUC claimants were moved to EB incorrectly because they exhausted PEUC on the week of Dec. 26. We have moved these claimants back to PEUC.Some claimants filed for the weeks of Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 before the extensions were in place and as a result their claim shows they filed but did not receive payment. We are working to resolve this issue.We are aware that some PEUC claimants did not get the option to file for the weeks between Dec. 26 and the day they reopened their claim. We are working to process your requests for back weeks as soon as possible.General PEUC extension informationIf you were being paid on Pennsylvania’s Extended Benefits (EB) program before Dec. 26, 2020, you MUST complete your EB benefits before the additional 11 weeks of PEUC can be added to your claim.You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost.Claimants that last filed before Dec. 26 will need to reopen their claim and will begin filing in two weeks.If you need to request backdating for the weeks between Jan. 2 through Jan. 23, please email uchelp@pa.gov.PEUC provides additional claim weeks to workers who have exhausted their regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. Claimants are automatically enrolled in PEUC after they have reached their maximum claim weeks for UC.Claimants with additional issuesPUA or PEUC claimants who experience additional issues with their claims should email uchelp@pa.gov and provide a short description of the problem, their name as it appears on their claim, and the last four digits of their Social Security number. Immediate assistanceClaimants who need immediate assistance with needs such as food or shelter should contact the United Way’s 2-1-1 program or review their eligibility for programs through COMPASS. An additional list of support and resources is available on L&I’s Resources & Assistance page.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has provided an update on issues and fixes related to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

The information below is from L&I:

PUA

The PUA program extension rollout on Jan. 22 has alerted L&I of multiple issues with our system that we are working to correct.

Issues and fixes

  • If eligible, funds were released for claimants who previously filed for the weeks of Jan 2., Jan. 9 and Jan. 16.
  • Some claimants were experiencing a USCIS issue related to residency (permanent resident versus U.S. citizen) which is actively being worked on.
  • We added the 2020 base year for claimants who applied for PUA after Dec. 27. New claimants will receive individual messaging on next steps through the PUA dashboard. Once verified and any outstanding issues have been resolved, payments will be released.

L&I is actively working to resolve the outstanding issues and will provide regular updates on the program status. Affected claimants do not need to take any action at this time.

PEUC

After the PEUC program extension rollout on Jan. 24, L&I identified and fixed the missing PEUC claim weeks for individuals who last filed benefits for the week on Dec. 26, 2020.

Issues and fixes

  • Some PEUC claimants were moved to EB incorrectly because they exhausted PEUC on the week of Dec. 26. We have moved these claimants back to PEUC.
  • Some claimants filed for the weeks of Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 before the extensions were in place and as a result their claim shows they filed but did not receive payment. We are working to resolve this issue.
  • We are aware that some PEUC claimants did not get the option to file for the weeks between Dec. 26 and the day they reopened their claim. We are working to process your requests for back weeks as soon as possible.

General PEUC extension information

If you were being paid on Pennsylvania’s Extended Benefits (EB) program before Dec. 26, 2020, you MUST complete your EB benefits before the additional 11 weeks of PEUC can be added to your claim.

You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost.

Claimants that last filed before Dec. 26 will need to reopen their claim and will begin filing in two weeks.

If you need to request backdating for the weeks between Jan. 2 through Jan. 23, please email uchelp@pa.gov.

PEUC provides additional claim weeks to workers who have exhausted their regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits. Claimants are automatically enrolled in PEUC after they have reached their maximum claim weeks for UC.

Claimants with additional issues

PUA or PEUC claimants who experience additional issues with their claims should email uchelp@pa.gov and provide a short description of the problem, their name as it appears on their claim, and the last four digits of their Social Security number.

Immediate assistance

Claimants who need immediate assistance with needs such as food or shelter should contact the United Way’s 2-1-1 program or review their eligibility for programs through COMPASS. An additional list of support and resources is available on L&I’s Resources & Assistance page.

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PUA CLAIMANTS in Pa. have trouble filing for unemployment benefits

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OUT WEEKLY BENEFITS TO MORE THAN 400,000 PEOPLE WHO GET PAYMENTS UNDER THE PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. BUT VIEWERS TELL US THEY’RE STILL RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS JUST PUTTING IN CLAIMS. WGAL NEWS 8’S TOM LEHMAN LOOKED INTO IT. TOM: VIEWERS HAVE TOLD US IN EMAILS THEY’RE HAVING PROBLEMS PUTTING IN CLAIMS FOR PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, COMMONLY CALLED PU >> THE ONE TIME I GET THROUGH, THEY SAID THEIR COMPUTERS ARE DOWN. TOM: ROBERT JOHNSON OF YORK SAYS A STATE WEBSITE WILL ONLY LET HIM CLAIM ONE WEEK OF BENEFITS UNDER THE PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. JOHNSON SAYS HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLAIM MORE WEEKS THAN JUST ONE. HE’S HAVING TROUBLE REACHING ANYONE FROM THE STATE TO HELP HIM. >> YOU CAN FEEL THE DESPERATION. TOM: A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE STA LABOR DEPARTMENT SAID SOME PEOPLE FILING PUA CLAIMS ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. SHE SAID THE STATE IS TRYING TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF T PROBLEMS AND FIX THEM. JOHNSON SAYS HE’S WORRIE BECAUSE THERE’S A FRIDAY DEADLINE FOR JANUARY PUA CLAIMS. >> IT’S TOUGH. THERE’S A LOT OF THINGS — I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT I KIND OF JUST WANT WHAT’S RIGHT. TOM: IF SOMEONE CANNOT MEET TH FRIDAY DEADLINE, THE STATE SAYS THAT PERSON WILL HAVE TO REQUEST BACKDATED PAYMENTS. TOM LEHMAN, WGAL NEW

PUA claimants in Pennsylvania have trouble filing for unemployment benefits

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced late last week that unemployment payments are resuming for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.However, News 8 viewers tell us they’re still running into problems when filing their claims.”The one time I get through, they say their computers were down,” York resident Robert Johnson said.Johnson said the state website will only let him claim one week of benefits, even though he should be able to file for multiple weeks.He said he’s having trouble reaching anyone from the state to help him.”You can feel the desperation,” he said.Sarah DeSantis, a spokeswoman for the Department of Labor and Industry, said the state is aware some claimants are having issues filing for the PUA and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs.“We are working to identify the causes and rectify the situation as soon as possible,” DeSantis said.Johnson said he’s worried because there’s a Friday deadline for January PUA claims.”It’s tough. There’s a lot of things I don’t know what to do, but I kind of just want what’s right,” he said.According to state officials, people who aren’t able to submit their claims by the deadline will have to request backdated payments.State officials said claimants can email ucpua@pa.gov if they have questions.

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announced late last week that unemployment payments are resuming for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

However, News 8 viewers tell us they’re still running into problems when filing their claims.

“The one time I get through, they say their computers were down,” York resident Robert Johnson said.

Johnson said the state website will only let him claim one week of benefits, even though he should be able to file for multiple weeks.

He said he’s having trouble reaching anyone from the state to help him.

“You can feel the desperation,” he said.

Sarah DeSantis, a spokeswoman for the Department of Labor and Industry, said the state is aware some claimants are having issues filing for the PUA and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs.

“We are working to identify the causes and rectify the situation as soon as possible,” DeSantis said.

Johnson said he’s worried because there’s a Friday deadline for January PUA claims.

“It’s tough. There’s a lot of things I don’t know what to do, but I kind of just want what’s right,” he said.

According to state officials, people who aren’t able to submit their claims by the deadline will have to request backdated payments.

State officials said claimants can email ucpua@pa.gov if they have questions.

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PA. DEPT. OF LABOR to resume unemployment payments for PUA

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TOM: PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TYPICALLY GOES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT USUALLY ELIGIBLE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. THESE PEOPLE ARE USUALLY GIG WORKERS, FREELANCERS, OR SELF-EMPLOYED. PENNSYLVANIA SAYS PAYMENTS ARE NOW GOING OUT ONCE AGAIN FOLLOWING THE CARES ACT FUNDING EXTENSION. TO BEGIN FILING FOR THEY ADDITIONAL WEEKS, HAD TO YOUR ONLINE UNEMPLOYMENT DASHBOARD AND CLAIM THE ADDITIONAL WEEKS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FILE FOR JANUARY 2, JANUARY 9, JANUARY 16, AND JANUARY 23. YOU MUST FILE BY JANUARY 29. IF YOU MISS THE DEADLINE, YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL UCPUA@PA.GOV. THE STATE SAYS IF YOU HAVE NOT FILED CLAIMS BEFORE AND ARE PLANNING TO DO SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2021, YOU CANNOT FILE YET AND THE STATE WILL NOTIFY YOU WHEN YOU CAN. PENNSYLVANIA SAYS IT IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF GETTING READY TO SEND OUT PAYMENTS FOR PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AS WELL. THE LABOR AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAYS YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING SPECIAL TO GET THE EXTRA $300 APPLIED TO UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS AND THAT THE EXTRA MONEY IS GOING TO BE

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resume unemployment payments for PUA program

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program part of latest stimulus package

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says unemployment benefits will resume for residents making claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.The PUA payments, which are part of the latest federal stimulus package, had been delayed for weeks as L&I worked to update their computer system to meet new federal requirements. It’s estimated that about 400,000 Pennsylvanians are relying on the PUA benefits. The Department of Labor and Industry released the following statement Friday, Jan. 22:”Today, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced that payments for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the new federal CARES Act extension are resuming. “’Since the federal legislation for the new CARES Act extension was unveiled, L&I’s dedicated team has been working tirelessly to update our processing systems,’” said Berrier. “’We know that more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians and their families are relying on these PUA benefits to get through this terrible pandemic and have worked as quickly as possible to complete the implementation and resume payments.’” “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program Extension “PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are not typically eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. This includes gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers. “Important PUA program extension information for claimants follows. You can begin filing for the additional 11 claim weeks today, January 22. Follow the same process as before to log onto your dashboard and claim the additional weeks, which will be added to your account.You must file by January 29. If you miss this deadline, you will need to email ucpua@pa.gov to request backdating.You will be able to file for the weeks of January 2; 9; 16; and 23.If you no longer had claim weeks or did not file for the week ending December 26, 2020, for any reason, you MUST REOPEN your claim before you can proceed. To do this, log onto your dashboard and click on the link to reopen a claim.If you tried to open a new claim while the PUA program was inactive, you will have error codes that the UC staff must fix before you can proceed. Please be patient while we work quickly to resolve your issue. If you are a new, first-time PUA claimant opening a claim in 2021, you cannot yet file. We are still adding 2020 as a base wage year in the system and will notify you when you are able to file for benefits. You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost. “Claimants who have questions about their enrollment in PUA should email ucpua@pa.gov. “The original CARES Act programs, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), expired the end of December 2020. L&I is in the final stages of the PEUC implementation and will be providing an update to those claimants very soon.”Department of Labor links for claimants Important Updates and News about the PUA Program Federal CARES Act Important L&I Updates Related to COVID-19 Report Unemployment Fraud and Identity Theft 2020 Tax Forms for Claimants

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says unemployment benefits will resume for residents making claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

The PUA payments, which are part of the latest federal stimulus package, had been delayed for weeks as L&I worked to update their computer system to meet new federal requirements. It’s estimated that about 400,000 Pennsylvanians are relying on the PUA benefits.

The Department of Labor and Industry released the following statement Friday, Jan. 22:

“Today, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced that payments for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program in the new federal CARES Act extension are resuming.

“’Since the federal legislation for the new CARES Act extension was unveiled, L&I’s dedicated team has been working tirelessly to update our processing systems,’” said Berrier. “’We know that more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians and their families are relying on these PUA benefits to get through this terrible pandemic and have worked as quickly as possible to complete the implementation and resume payments.’”

“Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program Extension

“PUA assists workers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and are not typically eligible for other unemployment compensation programs. This includes gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers.

“Important PUA program extension information for claimants follows.

  • You can begin filing for the additional 11 claim weeks today, January 22.
  • Follow the same process as before to log onto your dashboard and claim the additional weeks, which will be added to your account.
  • You must file by January 29. If you miss this deadline, you will need to email ucpua@pa.gov to request backdating.
  • You will be able to file for the weeks of January 2; 9; 16; and 23.
  • If you no longer had claim weeks or did not file for the week ending December 26, 2020, for any reason, you MUST REOPEN your claim before you can proceed. To do this, log onto your dashboard and click on the link to reopen a claim.
  • If you tried to open a new claim while the PUA program was inactive, you will have error codes that the UC staff must fix before you can proceed. Please be patient while we work quickly to resolve your issue.
  • If you are a new, first-time PUA claimant opening a claim in 2021, you cannot yet file. We are still adding 2020 as a base wage year in the system and will notify you when you are able to file for benefits.
  • You will automatically receive the extra $300 weekly Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – you do not need to take any action to get this boost.

“Claimants who have questions about their enrollment in PUA should email ucpua@pa.gov.

“The original CARES Act programs, including Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), expired the end of December 2020. L&I is in the final stages of the PEUC implementation and will be providing an update to those claimants very soon.”

Department of Labor links for claimants

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