Pennsylvania Unemployment

Pennsylvania Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry provides unemployment insurance benefits to temporarily help out-of-work Pennsylvania workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. 

Pennsylvania unemployment benefits are designed as a temporary stop-gap to help provide financial stability while a worker looks for a new job.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Services

How To Qualify for Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

Individual eligibility cannot be determined until a claimant files an initial claim for review. However, most eligible claimants will be able to show the following:

• Sufficient qualifying income and a minimum of 18 credit weeks within the base year
• A qualifying separation – meaning the claimant lost employment through no fault of his/her own or left employment with good cause
• Willingness and availability to accept suitable work whenever it is offered

Once your initial unemployment compensation claim is submitted, your information will be reviewed and you will receive a decision as to your eligibility.

Benefit Payments and Duration

How To Apply for Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

To submit your initial claim for unemployment assistance, you may use any of the methods outlined below:

• Online submission: Complete the online application using Pennsylvania’s secure website
• Telephone claim: Use the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 888-313-7284 to file your unemployment claim
• Mail: Submit a paper application by mail to an Unemployment Compensation service center.
• Videophone:  For individuals whose chief mode of communication is American Sign Language, video service is available every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at 717-704-8474. Sign language is the ONLY means of communication provided through this method.

After submitting your unemployment claim, you will receive a confirmation letter within seven to 10 business days, which will include the Personal Identification Number you will need to check claim status and to file your biweekly claim.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

Once your initial claim is approved, you also are required to file a biweekly claim for unemployment compensation benefits you’d like to receive for the previous two weeks. As part of this process, you’ll answer questions related to any money earned in the previous weeks, activities related to your job search, and any job offers you’ve received since your last claim.

You can file your weekly claim online or use Pennsylvania Teleclaims by calling 888-255-4728.

Filing an Appeal in Pennsylvania

If you are unhappy with the decision regarding your initial unemployment claim, you have the right to file an appeal. You may submit a Request for Hearing online or by mail.

When requesting a hearing through the mail, you can use the appeal form that came with your determination letter, or you can write the letter yourself to the address that will appear on your determination letter.

Your determination letter will also include a fax number for appeals if you would prefer to send your request for appeal that way. You also may submit a request for appeal via email to [email protected].

You must appeal within 15 days of the date on which your determination letter was postmarked. At this point, your case will be reviewed by a Referee, who will issue a second determination. You then may appeal this decision to the Board of Appeals. All final appeals will be addressed to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

Reporting Fraud in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry takes all reports of unemployment compensation fraud very seriously. If you believe someone is fraudulently using your identity to collect unemployment compensation, you can report this activity using the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s secure online reporting form. 

You can also call Pennsylvania’s Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469 and report fraud over the phone.

To report anyone you suspect of fraudulently receiving UI benefits, submit an Unemployment Claims Fraud form. This may include claimants who are working and not appropriately reporting wages or those who cannot work due to illness, disability, or incarceration.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Office Locations