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.
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.