WHO QUALIFIES?
Unemployment benefits have been expanded under The CARES Act to include:
- Part-time workers and self-employed workers
- Gig workers and contractors
- Anyone out of work or who has had to cut back on their hours directly due to COVID-19, including if you had to stop working because you have symptoms or are caring for someone who has the virus
- People who can’t get to their jobs due to the virus
- People who previously wouldn’t have qualified due to a spotty work history
WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY?
Anyone working from home before COVID-19 or receiving paid leave
WHAT WILL I NEED TO FILE?
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s License Number
- Mailing address
- Telephone number
- If you are not a US citizen, your alien registration card number
- Full company names and address of everywhere you’ve worked for the past 2 years
- For federal employees, copies of forms SF8 or forms SF50
- If you are a service member or ex-service member a copy of separation form DD 214
- If you want direct deposit, you must have your bank routing and checking account numbers
- First and last day working with employer
- Reason you left
HOW MUCH COMPENSATION WILL YOU GET?
- Compensation varies by state: Unemployment Benefits Finder
Filing in PA
Filing for PUA: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
General overview: Unemployment Benefits
File a claim online: Filing an Initial Claim
File a claim by phone: Contact Us – UC Benefits
Updates on how PA is handling unemployment in relation to COVID-19: COVID19