Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits: Complete Filing Guide

Pennsylvania's Office of Unemployment Compensation administers unemployment insurance (called Unemployment Compensation or UC) for workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This guide covers everything you need to know about filing and receiving PA unemployment benefits.

Pennsylvania Unemployment at a Glance

Detail	Information
Maximum weekly benefit	$611 (plus $5/dependent, up to $637)
Maximum benefit duration	26 weeks
Waiting period	1 week (unpaid)
Filing method	Online at PAucp.pa.gov, by phone
Administering agency	PA Office of Unemployment Compensation

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Pennsylvania unemployment benefits, you must:

Earnings Requirements

Base period: Pennsylvania uses your wages from the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you filed.

Minimum earnings:

• At least $116 in the highest quarter of your base period
• Total base period wages of at least $1,688, OR
• Total base period wages at least 37% of your highest quarter wages

Credit Week Requirements

You must have at least 18 credit weeks in your base period. A credit week is any week where you earned at least $116.

Work Requirements

• Lost job through no fault of your own (layoff, reduction in force, lack of work)
• Physically able to work and available for work
• Actively seeking employment each week you claim benefits
• Ready to accept suitable work if offered

Who Is NOT Eligible

• Workers who quit without good cause related to the job
• Workers fired for willful misconduct
• Self-employed individuals (generally)
• Independent contractors (generally)
• Workers who refuse suitable work

How to File in Pennsylvania

Option 1: Online (Recommended)

Website: PAucp.pa.gov

Steps:

1. Create an account on the PA unemployment website
2. Complete the initial unemployment claim application
3. Submit any required documentation
4. File your weekly claims (biweekly certification)

Best times to file online: Based on the last digit of your Social Security Number

Option 2: By Phone

UC Service Center: 888-313-7284

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM

Note: Phone wait times can be very long. Online filing is recommended.

Information You'll Need

Gather this before you start:

• Social Security Number
• Driver's license or state ID number
• Last employer's name, address, phone number, and FEIN (if known)
• Dates of employment with all employers in last 18 months
• Reason for separation from each employer
• Gross earnings information
• Direct deposit information (optional but faster)

Benefit Amounts in Pennsylvania

Calculating Your Weekly Benefit

Pennsylvania calculates your weekly benefit based on your highest quarter earnings.

Formula: Highest quarter wages ÷ 23-25 (depending on total wages) = Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR)

Minimum weekly benefit: $35 Maximum weekly benefit: $611 (or $637 with dependents)

Dependent Allowances

Pennsylvania provides additional benefits for dependents:

• $5 per dependent per week
• Maximum of $8 additional per week (total max $637 with dependents)

Example Calculations

Highest Quarter Earnings	Approximate Weekly Benefit
$5,000	$208
$8,000	$333
$12,000	$500
$15,000+	$611 (maximum)

Total Benefit Amount

You can receive up to 26 times your weekly benefit rate or 50% of your total base period wages, whichever is less.

The Waiting Period

Pennsylvania has a one-week unpaid waiting period. This is the first week of your claim when you are unemployed but not yet receiving benefits.

• File your claim as soon as you're unemployed
• Your waiting week is served automatically
• Benefits begin the second week (if eligible)

Filing Weekly Claims (Certification)

You must file biweekly claims to continue receiving benefits.

How to File

Online (recommended): Log into the UC website and file your claim

By phone: Call the UC Service Center

Filing Schedule

File claims every two weeks for the prior two weeks of unemployment. Your filing day is determined by your Social Security Number.

Claim Questions

Each certification asks:

• Were you able and available to work?
• Did you look for work?
• Did you refuse any work offered?
• Did you work or earn any money?
• Are you attending school or training?

Answer honestly. Incorrect answers can result in fraud charges and overpayment recovery.

Receiving Your Payments

Direct Deposit

Set up direct deposit for fastest payment. Add your bank information when filing or through your online account.

Debit Card (ReliaCard)

Benefits are loaded onto a US Bank ReliaCard if you don't set up direct deposit.

Options:

• Use the card for purchases
• Withdraw cash from ATMs
• Transfer funds to your bank account

Payment Timeline

Payments are typically issued within 2-4 days after filing your biweekly claim if there are no issues.

Work Search Requirements

Pennsylvania requires active work search while receiving benefits.

Requirements

• Register for work with PA CareerLink
• Conduct at least two work search activities per week
• Document all work search efforts
• Accept suitable work if offered

Documenting Your Search

Keep records of:

• Employer names and contact information
• Dates of application or contact
• Position applied for
• Method of contact (online, in-person, phone)
• Results of application

Pennsylvania may audit your work search records.

Working While Receiving Benefits

You can work part-time and still receive partial benefits.

How It Works

Pennsylvania uses partial benefit credit:

• Earn up to 30% of your weekly benefit rate with no reduction
• Earnings above 30% reduce benefits dollar-for-dollar
• If total earnings exceed your weekly benefit plus partial credit, no benefits that week

Example

Weekly benefit rate: $400 Partial benefit credit (30%): $120

• Part-time earnings of $100: Full $400 benefit paid (under credit)
• Part-time earnings of $200: $400 - ($200 - $120) = $320 benefit
• Part-time earnings of $550+: No benefit paid

Report all earnings on your biweekly claim.

Severance Pay and Unemployment

Pennsylvania's treatment of severance:

• Lump-sum severance: Generally does not affect benefits
• Periodic severance (paid like wages): May affect benefits for weeks covered
• Vacation/PTO payout: May affect the week(s) paid out

Report all severance payments when filing. The UC office will determine the impact.

Special Situations

Quit for Good Cause

You may qualify if you quit for a "necessitous and compelling" reason:

• Unsafe working conditions
• Significant reduction in hours/pay
• Harassment or discrimination
• Health reasons (with documentation)
• Followed a spouse due to job relocation

Fired for Misconduct

You may be disqualified if fired for willful misconduct:

• Violation of company rules
• Insubordination
• Excessive absenteeism without cause
• Drug/alcohol policy violations

You can appeal a misconduct determination.

Seasonal Workers

Pennsylvania has provisions for seasonal workers. Benefits may be affected by the nature of seasonal employment.

Federal Employees

Federal workers file in the state where they worked. Pennsylvania processes federal employee claims (UCFE).

Appeals Process

If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal.

How to Appeal

1. You have 21 days from the mailing date of the determination to file an appeal
2. File online through your UC account or by mail
3. A hearing will be scheduled with a referee
4. Attend your hearing (usually by phone)
5. Receive a written decision

Preparing for Your Appeal

• Review the reason for denial
• Gather supporting documents
• Prepare your testimony
• You may bring witnesses
• You may have legal representation

Further Appeals

If you disagree with the referee's decision, you can appeal to the UC Board of Review within 21 days.

Tips for Pennsylvania Filers

1. File immediately — Your claim starts the week you file, not the week you were laid off
2. Use the online system — It's faster and you can track your claim status
3. File biweekly claims on time — Late claims delay payments
4. Keep work search records — You may be audited
5. Register with PA CareerLink — This is required
6. Report all earnings — Failure to report is fraud
7. Check your mail — Pennsylvania sends important documents by mail
8. Respond to requests promptly — Missing deadlines can hurt your claim

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive benefits?

If your claim is straightforward, expect your first payment 2-4 weeks after filing. Claims requiring investigation take longer.

Can I get unemployment if I was fired?

It depends on why. If fired for reasons other than willful misconduct (layoff, poor fit, performance issues not rising to misconduct), you may qualify. Willful misconduct disqualifies you.

What if I worked in multiple states?

You generally file in the state where you worked most recently. Pennsylvania can file a combined wage claim using earnings from other states.

Is unemployment taxable?

Yes. Pennsylvania UC benefits are subject to federal and state income tax. You can have taxes withheld or pay when you file your tax return.

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Key Takeaways

1. Maximum benefit is $611/week (up to $637 with dependents) for up to 26 weeks
2. File online at PAucp.pa.gov for fastest processing
3. File biweekly claims to continue receiving benefits
4. Register with PA CareerLink — It's required
5. Keep work search records documenting at least 2 activities per week
6. Report all earnings even if working part-time
7. Appeal if denied — You have 21 days to file

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Related Resources:

• Main Unemployment Guide →
• Emergency Budget Planning →
• First 24 Hours After Layoff →
• Unemployment Appeals →