Help with PA Unemployment Questions If You are Receiving Benefits

[momoftwins]

Completely off topic, but honestly I need help. I am so confused by what I need to do with PA Unemployment. It is impossible to reach any number, receive a response to an email sent over two weeks ago, or use their on-line chat. I totally get it they are overwhelmed, but it would help if they could even give you an idea where you are in the question answering queue.

I have been approved for Unemplyment, but cannot figure out how to input for backdated claims. This was my first time inputing a claim and it only gave me the choice of the last two weeks. My hours for April and May were impacted and I was furloughed for two weeks..

Also, do I have to put in for the Pandemic Unemployment, separately? Is this a separate biweekly filing, or when I put in my biweekly claims it will get calculated into the benefits received?

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[TDSAXX]

Completely off topic, but honestly I need help. I am so confused by what I need to do with PA Unemployment. It is impossible to reach any number, receive a response to an email sent over two weeks ago, or use their on-line chat. I totally get it they are overwhelmed, but it would help if they could even give you an idea where you are in the question answering queue.

I have been approved for Unemplyment, but cannot figure out how to input for backdated claims. This was my first time inputing a claim and it only gave me the choice of the last two weeks. My hours for April and May were impacted and I was furloughed for two weeks..

Also, do I have to put in for the Pandemic Unemployment, separately? Is this a separate biweekly filing, or when I put in my biweekly claims it will get calculated into the benefits received?

Any advise would be appreciated.

I can’t help you with the question on backdated weeks; but I was off for a few weeks in April/May and the extra $600/week was automatic. You should receive your regular unemployment 2-3 days after you put in your claim and the additional $1200 (for the two weeks) about a week after your initial payment.

 

[dclpluto]

Completely off topic, but honestly I need help. I am so confused by what I need to do with PA Unemployment. It is impossible to reach any number, receive a response to an email sent over two weeks ago, or use their on-line chat. I totally get it they are overwhelmed, but it would help if they could even give you an idea where you are in the question answering queue.

I have been approved for Unemplyment, but cannot figure out how to input for backdated claims. This was my first time inputing a claim and it only gave me the choice of the last two weeks. My hours for April and May were impacted and I was furloughed for two weeks..

Also, do I have to put in for the Pandemic Unemployment, separately? Is this a separate biweekly filing, or when I put in my biweekly claims it will get calculated into the benefits received?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Im in New Jersey I had seven weeks of unemployment. . Got the first two weeks. Than had trouble. I emailed my congressman and one of his helpers got back to me saying she will help. Don’t know if it actually helped but 5 weeks later I got all my pay. Good luck. There’s people where I work that still haven’t got their pay. Our governor told everyone to remain calm everyone will get their money at some time. Well I wanted my money so I wasn’t going to remain calm. I also faxed them a bunch of times.

 

[momoftwins]

Thanks guys. The PA site is sooooooooooo convoluted. Even the paperwork they sent me has contradictions all over the place. I will just keep at it.

 

[Hiitsme]

There has been a ton of unemployment abuses. A friend applied was approved and received a couple of weeks of it. They continued being out of work and so continued filing. Four weeks of filing and all the account said was "pending" no money was being sent out. Phone and email were useless in an attempt to find out what was happening. Finally they sent an email to check account for a messages. Message requested some info be sent that would prove my friend was a real person. The info they requested is the kind we've been told to NEVER send to anyone, but because the unemployment web site is secure my friend sent it out. Three days later my friend received all back claims. my friend is an independent contactor and has never had to use unemployment.

 

[5Tulips]

Have you tried contacting your local senator or state rep’s office? Many of the calls they receive are regarding unemployment compensation these days. They may be able to help point you in the right direction.

 

[misse336]

There has been a ton of unemployment abuses.

I agree with this. I know of several people in PA who have received unemployment checks (plus the extra $600 per week) who never filed for it and are still employed. Makes you wonder who applied for them and what their end game is. Then they had to deal with the pain of sending it back, hoping it was received and credited and hope that they aren't impacted later on/at tax time.

Sorry OP that I don't have any help for you. Hope you can get it straightened out soon.

 

[anneboleyn]

Completely off topic, but honestly I need help. I am so confused by what I need to do with PA Unemployment. It is impossible to reach any number, receive a response to an email sent over two weeks ago, or use their on-line chat. I totally get it they are overwhelmed, but it would help if they could even give you an idea where you are in the question answering queue.

I have been approved for Unemplyment, but cannot figure out how to input for backdated claims. This was my first time inputing a claim and it only gave me the choice of the last two weeks. My hours for April and May were impacted and I was furloughed for two weeks..

Also, do I have to put in for the Pandemic Unemployment, separately? Is this a separate biweekly filing, or when I put in my biweekly claims it will get calculated into the benefits received?

Any advise would be appreciated.

If you have a CareerLink nearby, you can go there and there is a good chance they have a phone that you can use that has a direct line to a PA UC worker who can help you. You may need to wait while others use the phone, but it shouldn’t be too bad of a wait at all. All counties may not offer this, but it’s worth it to look in to. (I work for the state of PA and we get constant emails to tell the applicants of our services this information).

As for your question about the Pandemic Unemployment, you would only apply for that if you have exhausted your regular UC benefits or you aren’t eligible for them. For example, if you didn’t work the required amount of time in your base year or make enough weekly qualifying wages and were denied regular UC, then you apply for Pandemic Unemployment. Or if you have used all of your weeks of regular UC (which would be between 18-26 weeks), then you would apply for the Pandemic portion.

I know it’s confusing but I hope that info makes sense!

 

[Chuck-PA]

We are from PA. My wife did not apply for back pay. Someone she worked with did.
The woman had to call the unemployment number (not the number for claims). and talk to someone (supervisor). They took all her information and told her she would get a letter in the mail. Two months later she received a denial for the back pay. She is appealing it now.
On the determination letter is the phone number for you to call. Or you can look it up on line.
Good Luck.

 

[momoftwins]

Again, Thanks all. I am calling the number listed on the Determination Letter. It is constantly busy, as well as the on-line chat. For the months of April, May, and June I have been furloughed certain weeks from my employer due to the Covid issues. I will just keep at it

 

[Dakota731]

My daughter in Pa has the same identical problem. She even tried to fax a letter and of course their fax number doesn’t work. She read that only 15% of people in Pa have received their benefits. She is owed ten weeks unemployment and can’t even speak to a human being to discuss the issue. Her emails and even snail mail have gone unanswered. Maybe contact the media and hope then something will be done. Keep us posted!

 

[momoftwins]

Oh gosh! How horrible for your daughter! How poorly handled can something be. I understand there is an influx of applications due to the mess of Covid. However, 10 weeka and no answer - that is absurd! Good luck to her!

 

[dclpluto]

My daughter in Pa has the same identical problem. She even tried to fax a letter and of course their fax number doesn’t work. She read that only 15% of people in Pa have received their benefits. She is owed ten weeks unemployment and can’t even speak to a human being to discuss the issue. Her emails and even snail mail have gone unanswered. Maybe contact the media and hope then something will be done. Keep us posted!

email your congressman . of course your congressman won’t help you but someone in his or her office should.