LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP: State suggests best practices when filing for unemployment compensation

Yahoo

7 hours ago

Jul. 6—WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) this week reminded Pennsylvanians of suggested best practices when filing for Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits to help ensure timely and accurate claim processing.
Whether filing a new claim, reopening an existing one, or submitting weekly certifications, taking a few simple steps can help avoid delays and improve the overall experience.
Suggested practices when filing for UC:
—Gather your information: Before filing, make sure you have your employment history, reason for separation, Social Security Number, and wage details ready from the past 18 months.
—Reopen claims promptly: If you return to unemployment after a period of work or missed filings, be sure to reopen your claim during the first week you are again unemployed.
—File weekly certifications on time: You must file a certification for each week you are fully or partially unemployed.
—Monitor your dashboard: Log in to your UC dashboard at uc.pa.gov to track the status of your claim, view messages from L&I, and respond promptly to any requests for information.
—Respond quickly to requests: If L&I contacts you for more information, respond as soon as possible.
—Report earnings accurately: If you're working part-time or earning income, report all wages during your weekly certifications. Honest and accurate reporting protects you from penalties and ensures the integrity of the UC system.
"Unemployment Compensation exists to support Pennsylvanians when they need it most," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "The process works best when claimants are prepared, respond promptly, and use the tools we've made available to them. That's how we keep benefits moving to the people who need them."
Each UC claim is unique and must undergo an eligibility determination process. The information above is provided for general guidance only and does not guarantee eligibility or payment. For specific case questions, claimants should log in to their UC dashboard or contact L&I directly.
L&I encourages all UC claimants to visit uc.pa.gov for checklists, video tutorials, and answers to frequently asked questions. Individuals needing extra help can also schedule in-person assistance through the Department's UC Connect program at PA CareerLink® locations across the Commonwealth.
Key service highlights include:
—44,701 new Unemployment Compensation claims filed.
—$140.4 million in benefits paid to 98,516 individuals.
—80,694 helpline calls answered.
—Average call wait time: 24 minutes, 16 seconds.
—6,309 live chat sessions completed.
—12,408 email inquiries processed.
—2,748 individuals received in-person help through UC Connect.
PA Chamber applauds passage of pro-growth federal tax reform
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein today issued the following statement after Congress this week passed the Big Beautiful Bill Act:
"Making the 2017 tax cuts permanent represents a significant victory for economic growth, investment, and job creation. This legislation provides the certainty employers need to compete and expand. Provisions like bonus depreciation, the R&D deduction, and the now-permanent small business deduction will drive innovation and accelerate economic momentum across Pennsylvania.
"This bill also delivers meaningful tax relief for working Americans and middle-class families — preventing what would have been the largest tax increase in history and helping people keep more of what they earn. No legislation is perfect, but we shouldn't let perfection stand in the way of progress. This bill will boost our economy and set the Commonwealth up for long-term success.
"We commend the members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation and Senator McCormick who supported these pro-jobs provisions, as well as the Trump administration, for delivering a major policy achievement."
Rep. Bresnahan joins key stakeholders for roundtable on local impact of Job Corps
U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr., R-Dallas Township, participated this week in a roundtable with local stakeholders and elected officials to discuss the direct impacts of Keystone Job Corps Center on Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA).
Located in Bresnahan's district in Drums, Keystone Job Corps Center offers a wide variety of career and technical training programs, including construction, healthcare, culinary arts, information technology, manufacturing, security and other trades. Keystone partners with local businesses, nonprofits, labor unions, and local communities to equip students with the skills needed to find employment here in NEPA.
Since the start of his time in Congress, Bresnahan said he has been a strong supporter of the Job Corps Program, a free, federal education and vocational training program aimed at helping young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who face barriers to employment.
"Right here in NEPA, Keystone is transforming lives, putting our local students on the path to success," said Bresnahan. "By providing training for in-demand fields like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, they are being set up for family-sustaining careers, building the confidence needed to live meaningful lives, and contribute positively back to our communities. I want to thank Keystone Leadership and community stakeholders for coming together today and highlighting the real-life impacts that our young people of our region. I am, and will continue to be, a proud voice for the Job Corps Program in Congress."
On May 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer sent notices to 99 privately operated Job Corps Centers, including Keystone, stating they must cease operations by June 30, 2025.
Department of Aging highlights new efforts to protect older adults from abuse
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging this week continued its commitment to protecting older adults by hosting a special learning session with the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) Network to explore how Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) can support elder justice efforts in Pennsylvania.
The event brought together a bipartisan group of leaders, including representatives from the PA Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and the Office of Elder Justice in the Courts of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, along with 27 AAAs representing every region of the Commonwealth.
These MDTs are community-based groups and include professionals from various fields like social services, criminal and civil justice, mental health, medicine, finance and public health. Under the leadership of Secretary Jason Kavulich, the Department is working to bring this approach, utilized by several other states including New York and California, to improve collaboration and outcomes for complex protective services cases in Pennsylvania.
"We are proud of the work we are doing at the state level to ensure protection of older adults at the community level," said Kavulich. "One of our Administration's priorities is to continuously advance and modernize our practices while supporting the AAAs to ensure older adults are cared for and safe in their chosen community. This gathering is part of an approach to help AAAs and community partners build teams that are person-centered and nimble, able to move quickly to get the right resources for the victim."
"Older Pennsylvanians are targeted every day by scammers and other bad actors trying to exploit them, so we all have a role to play to keep seniors safe and their assets protected," Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said. "I commend our partners at the Department of Aging, and all of our collaborators from varying professions, for everyone's hard work towards this common mission."
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.