Who’s in charge of Pennsylvania Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry is in charge of the state’s unemployment insurance program.

Unemployment insurance benefits are provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry to temporarily assist out-of-work Pennsylvania workers who have lost their jobs due to no fault of their own.

Unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania are intended to give financial stability while a worker searches for new employment.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Contact

Claimant Contacts

UC and General Questions

  • Phone: 888-313-7284
  • Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (EST)

Videophone Service for ASL Users

  • Phone: 717-704-8474
  • Sign language is the ONLY means of communication provided at this number.
  • Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (EST)

​Self-Service Options

  • PAULA virtual assistance (general questions): 1-833-755-0882
  • Weekly claims filing: 888-255-4728 | Español: 877-888-8104
  • PA Treasury for changes to your payment method or tracking a lost payment: 877-869-1956
  • U.S. Bank ReliacardOpens In A New Window for questions regarding your debit card account: 888-233-5916

Contacts for Employers

UC Employer Service Center:

  • Phone: 833-728-2367
  • Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (EST)

UC Tax Employer Contact Center

  • Phone: 866-403-6163
  • Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (EST)

Report Fraud & Identity Theft

  • ​PA Fraud Hotline: 800-692-7469

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How To Qualify for Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

Individual eligibility cannot be determined until the claimant submits a claim for review. Most qualified claimants, however, will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • A minimum of 18 credit weeks throughout the base year and sufficient qualifying income
  • A qualifying separation is one in which the claimant lost his or her job for no fault of his or her own or quit for good reason.
  • Availability and willingness to take acceptable job whenever it is provided

Your information will be checked once you file your initial unemployment compensation claim, and you will be notified of your eligibility.

How Much Unemployment Benefits Will I Get in Pennsylvania?

  • Base Period: First 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
  • Alt Base Period: Last 4 completed quarters
  • Duration of Benefits: 18-26 weeks
  • Weekly Payment: Min $68 to Max $572
  • Maximum Benefits Amount (1 year): $14,872

How Do I Apply for Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits?

You may submit your initial unemployment assistance claim in one of the following ways:

  • Online submission: Complete the online application using Pennsylvania’s secure website
  • Telephone claim: Use the statewide unemployment compensation toll-free number at 888-313-7284 to file your unemployment claim
  • Mail: Submit a paper application by mail to an Unemployment Compensation service center.
  • Videophone:  For individuals whose chief mode of communication is American Sign Language, video service is available every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. at 717-704-8474. Sign language is the ONLY means of communication provided through this method.

After submitting your unemployment claim, you will receive a confirmation letter within seven to ten business days with the Personal Identification Number you will need to check your claim status and file your biweekly claim.

How do I Manage My Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits

Once your first claim has been granted, you must make a biweekly claim for the unemployment compensation payments you want for the preceding two weeks. You’ll be asked questions about any money you’ve made in the preceding weeks, activities relevant to your job hunt, and any job offers you’ve had since your last claim as part of this process.

If you would like to file a weekly claim, you can do so online or by calling 888-255-4728.

How Do I Appeal a Pennsylvania Unemployment Decision?

You have the right to seek an appeal if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your original unemployment claim. You can request a hearing either online or via mail.

You can use the appeal form that came with your determination letter to seek a hearing by mail, or you can send your own letter to the address shown on your determination letter.

f you want to send your appeal request by fax, the determination letter will give a fax number for appeals. You can also send an email to UCAppeals@pa.gov to request an appeal.

You have 15 days from the day your determination letter was postmarked to file an appeal. Your case will be reviewed by a Referee at this stage, who will make a second decision. The decision might then be appealed to the Board of Appeals. The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania will hear any final appeals.

How Do I Report a Pennsylvania Unemployment Fraud?

All accusations of unemployment benefit fraud are taken extremely seriously by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. You can submit false unemployment compensation claims using the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s secure online reporting form if you feel someone is exploiting your identity to receive benefits.

You can also report fraud over the phone by calling Pennsylvania’s Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469.

Submit an Unemployment Claims Fraud Form if you think someone is getting UI benefits fraudulently. This might include claimants who are working but are not reporting their pay correctly, as well as those who are unable to work due to illness, disability, or jail.

How Do I Talk to a Person in Pennsylvania Unemployment Customer Service?

You may call the UC service center at 888-313-7284.

What if I quit?

In general, you are not eligible if you leave your work freely.

If you quit for “good cause,” though, you may be able to collect. The state unemployment office determines what constitutes a good cause, and you can make your case for receiving benefits.

You should be entitled to a hearing if your claim is denied so that you can explain your claim. You should contact your local office because policies and terms differ from state to state.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations

Pennsylvania Unemployment  Office Pennsylvania Unemployment Office Locations Pennsylvania Unemployment Phone Number
Unemployment Office – Lehigh Valley 555 Union BoulevardAllentown, PA 18109 610-437-5627
Unemployment Office – Blair County 1600 5th AveSuite 200Altoona, PA 16602 814-940-6200
Unemployment Office – Bedford County 1 Corporate DriveSuite 103Bedford, PA 15522 814-623-6107
Unemployment Office Centre County 240 Match Factory PlaceBellefonte, PA 16823 814-548-7587
Unemployment Office – Columbia/Montour County 415 Central Road Suite 2Bloomsburg, PA 17815 570-387-6288
Unemployment Office – McKean County 40 Davis StreetBradford, PA 16701 814-363-9100
Unemployment Office – Bucks County at Bristol 1260 Veterans HighwayBristol, PA 19007 215-781-1073
Unemployment Office – Butler County 112 Hollywood DriveSuite 203Butler, PA 16001 724-431-4000
Unemployment Office – Cumberland County 1 Alexandra CourtCarlisle, PA 17015 717-243-4431
Unemployment Office – Franklin County 600 Norland AvenueChambersburg, PA 17201 717-264-4584
Unemployment Office – Chester City 701 Crosby StreetSuite BChester, PA 19013 610-447-3350
Unemployment Office – Clearfield County at Clearfield 1125 Linden StreetSuite 2Clearfield, PA 16830 814-765-8118
Unemployment Office – Potter County 279 Rt 6 WestCoudersport, PA 16915 814-274-9330
Unemployment Office – Mon Valley 570 Galiffa DriveDonora Industrial ParkDonora, PA 15033 724-379-4750
Unemployment Office – Clearfield County at DuBois 602 West DuBois Ave Unit # 1Dubois, PA 15801 814-371-0250
Unemployment Office – Erie County 1647 Sassafras StreetErie, PA 16502 814-455-9966
Unemployment Office – Chester County 479 Thomas Jones WaySuite 500Exton, PA 19341 610-280-1010
Unemployment Office – Adams County 150 V-Twin DriveGettysburg, PA 17325 717-334-1173
Unemployment Office – Capitol Region 100 N Cameron StreetSuite 101Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-783-3270
Unemployment Office – Luzerne County 75 North Laurel StreetHazleton, PA 18201 570-459-3854
Unemployment Office Wayne County 650 1/2 W Park St.Honesdale, PA 18431 570-229-3420
Unemployment Office – Huntingdon County 54 Pennsylvania AvenueHuntingdon, PA 16652-1299 814-641-6408
Unemployment Office – Indiana County 300 Indian Springs RoadIndiana, PA 15701 724-471-7220
Unemployment Office – Cambria County 248 Main Street Suite 100Johnstown, PA 15901 814-534-2500
Unemployment Office – Armstrong County 11931 State Route 85 Suite EKittanning, PA 16201 724-548-5693
Unemployment Office – Lancaster County 1016 North Charlotte StreetLancaster, PA 17603-2764 717-509-5613
Unemployment Office – Lebanon County 243 Schneider DriveLebanon, PA 17046-4875 717-274-2554
Unemployment Office – Fayette County 112 Commonwealth DriveLemont Furnace, PA 15456 724-434-5627
Unemployment Office – Lewistown 6395 SR 103 NorthMCIDC Plaza Building 58Lewistown, PA 17044 717-248-4942
Unemployment Office – Clinton County 8 North Grove StreetSuite FLock Haven, PA 17745 570-893-4022
Employment & Training Inc. Fulton Site 122 West Market StreetSuite 100Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233 717-485-5131
Unemployment Office – Delaware County 901 Media Line RoadMedia, PA 19063 610-723-1220
Unemployment Office – Beaver County 285 Beaver Valley MallRoute 18Monaca, PA 15061 724-728-4860
Unemployment Office – Carbon County 50 E Locust StNesquehoning, PA 18240 570-325-2701
Unemployment Office – Lawrence County 101 South Mercer StreetSuite 101New Castle, PA 16101 724-656-3165
Unemployment Office – Alle-Kiski 1150 5th AvenueSuite 200New Kensington, PA 15068 724-334-8600
Unemployment Office – Montgomery County 1430 DeKalb StreetNorristown, PA 19401 610-270-3429
Unemployment Office – Oil Region 255 Elm Street Suite 1Oil City, PA 16301-1412 814-678-5050
Unemployment Office – Northwest Philadelphia 5847 Germantown AvePhiladelphia, PA 19144 215-978-6503
Unemployment Office – Suburban Station 1617 JFK BoulevardSuite 200Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-557-2592
Unemployment Office – West Philadelphia 3901 Market StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104 215-473-3630
Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center 5321 Penn AvenuePittsburgh, PA 15224 412-362-8580
Unemployment Office – Allegheny East 2040 Ardmore BoulevardPittsburgh, PA 15221 412-436-2225
Unemployment Office – Downtown Pittsburgh 304 Wood StreetPittsburgh, PA 15222 412-552-7100
Unemployment Office – Schuylkill County 201 – 203 East Arch StreetPottsville, PA 17901 570-622-5253
Unemployment Office – Jefferson County 103 East Union StreetSuite 2Punxsutawney, PA 15767 814-938-0504
Unemployment Office – Berks County 1920 Kutztown Road Suite FReading, PA 19604 610-988-1300
Unemployment Office – Lackawanna County 135 Franklin AvenueScranton, PA 18503 570-963-4671
Unemployment Office – Mercer County 217 West State StreetSharon, PA 16146 724-347-9257
Pike County Workforce Development Agency 837 Route 6 Unit 2Shohola, PA 18458 570-296-2909
Unemployment Office – Somerset County 6022 Glades PikeSuite 100Somerset, PA 15501-1461 814-445-4161
Somerset County Office of  Veterans Services 300 North Center AvenueSte. 380Somerset, PA 15501 814-445-1551
Unemployment Office – Elk County 245 Depot StreetSt. Marys, PA 15857 814-834-2857
Unemployment Office – Sunbury 225 Market StreetSunbury, PA 17801 570-988-7300
Unemployment Office – Susquehanna County 1302 Main StSusquehanna, PA 18847 570-853-1103
Unemployment Office – Monroe County P.O. box 869, 2937 Route 611Merchants PlazaTannersville, PA 18372-0789 570-620-2850
Unemployment Office – Bradford/Sullivan Counties 312 Main StreetSuite 1Towanda, PA 18848-1844 570-265-2171
Unemployment Office – Wyoming County 1 Kim AvenueWarner Complex Suite 10Tunkhannock, PA 18657 570-836-6840
Unemployment Office – Washington County 90 West Chestnut StreetSuite 150 LLWashington, PA 15301 724-223-4500
Unemployment Office – Greene County 200 Greene PlazaWaynesburg, PA 15370-1324 724-852-2900
Unemployment Office – Tioga County 56 Plaza LaneWellsboro, PA 16901-1763 570-724-1939
Unemployment Office – Wilkes-Barre 32 East Union StreetWilkes Barre, PA 18701 570-822-1101
Unemployment Office – Lycoming County 329 Pine StreetWilliamsport, PA 17701 570-601-5465
Unemployment Office – York County 841 Vogelsong RoadYork, PA 17404-0868 717-767-7600
Unemployment Office – Youngwood 151 Pavilion LaneYoungwood, PA 15697-1814 724-755-2330