About Unemployment Compensation
The unexpected loss of a job can be devastating. The UC system is here to help Pennsylvanians get through it.
Unemployed Pennsylvanians can file a UC claim any day, any time. If you need help navigating the system or have a question about your claim, there are multiple convenient ways to contact L&I for assistance.
PAULA Virtual Assistance
For questions or concerns about your UC claim, please call PAULA virtual assistance at (833) 755-0882
Eligibility
Any unemployed person may file a claim for UC benefits. Your eligibility is based on the information provided by you and your employer(s) after you file an application for UC benefits.
Once you file for benefits, the Department of Labor & Industry will consider three factors to determine your eligibility:
Financial Eligibility
The first step is determining financial eligibility, which considers wages earned and length of your employment. Under Pennsylvania's UC Law, most work is eligible, but there are exceptions. For example, self-employed individuals are not financially eligible for benefits. After you file your claim, you will receive a notice of financial determination indicating whether you are financially eligible.
Benefit Eligibility
If you are determined financially eligible, the second step involves the nature of your job loss or separation. In other words, are you out of work through no fault of your own? This decision is based on the information you supply when you file for benefits, and information collected from your former employer.
Maintaining Eligibility
The third eligibility factor involves your obligations under the UC Law while you claim UC benefits. For example, you must be able and available to accept suitable work, and you must participate in reemployment services. Failure to do so may make you ineligible for benefits.
Get in-person help with your UC claim
If you need assistance with your Unemployment Compensation (UC) claim and prefer to interact offline, UC Connect offers face-to-face help at PA CareerLink® locations across Pennsylvania.
Application Process
You can apply for and manage your UC benefits any time.
Use the online UC system to:
- File or reopen a claim
- File for weekly UC benefits
- Check your claim status
- View benefit payments
- File an appeal
File an Initial Application
If you file online, you’ll receive a confirmation page at the end of the online application and a confirmation email. This email will include the date you will need to file your continued claim — also called your weekly certification.
No matter what day of the week you submit your initial claim, it will be effective on Sunday. Your initial claim will remain active for one year, and between 18 and 26 full weeks of benefit payments will be available if you are eligible for benefits.
Language services
L&I's Office of Unemployment Compensation (UC) provides a variety of language services, free of charge, to assist claimants who speak a language other than English.
- Compensación por Desempleo (UC) Servicios lingüísticos(opens in a new tab)
- Đền Bù Thất Nghiệp (UC) Dịch vụ ngôn ngữ
(opens in a new tab) - 失业 补偿 (UC) 语言服务(opens in a new tab)
- Pennsylvanie Chômage Compensation (UC) Services linguistiques(opens in a new tab)
- រដ្ឋ Pennsylvania ប្រាក់សំណងសម្រាប់ ភាពអត់ការងារធ្វើ (UC) សេវាកម្មភាសា(opens in a new tab)
- Pennsylvania تعويض عن البطالة (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Every claimant's situation is different, but there are some questions that we hear often.