Pennsylvania Unemployment – File Biweekly Claim
Do you need help with your weekly or biweekly claim for PA unemployment benefits? We can help. In this post, we will walk you through how to file Biweekly claim for Pennsylvania unemployment benefits.
Additionally, we will provide information about 5 important things you should know about the PA unemployment benefits process.
This includes how benefits are calculated, what your weekly benefit amount is likely to be, and how to contact the PA unemployment office.
This post will cover:
- How to File Biweekly Claim for Pennsylvania Unemployment
- PA Claims Confirmation letter
- How Unemployment Benefits are Calculated in Pennsylvania
- How Much In Unemployment Benefits You will Receive in Pennsylvania
- Contact The Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment Compensation
- How to Login to Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) System
How to File Biweekly Claim for Pennsylvania Unemployment
In order to receive unemployment benefits in the state of Pennsylvania, you must file biweekly claims for the weeks you are totally or partially unemployed.
There are two ways to file your biweekly claim:
Option 1 – Online
You can file your biweekly claim online using the Unemployment Compensation (UC) system.
Click here to be taken to the website.
Note: With the new UC system, you can now file for benefits on a weekly or biweekly basis.
However, in the system, you will see only a “weekly” certification option.
You do not need to select whether to file on a “weekly” or “biweekly” basis. You will get paid according to when you file.
Option 2 – By Phone
Alternatively, you can file your biweekly claim by phone.
Call the Pennsylvania Teleclaims-PAT system at 888-255-4728.
Important Information about your Pennsylvania Unemployment Claim
Here are some important details you should know about your PA unemployment application process and benefits.
1. Claims Confirmation letter
After filing your initial application for Pennsylvania unemployment compensation (UC) benefits, you will receive a Claims Confirmation letter. PLEASE SAVE IT.
The Claim Confirmation Letter will have the following information:
This letter will provide:
- the date you will file your first biweekly claim — generally the second Sunday after completing your initial application for benefits.
- Your 4-digit PIN will only be necessary to file your weekly claim if you file via Pennsylvania Teleclaims (PAT)
You will file a weekly claim certifying your eligibility for each week separately.
For UC purposes, a week is a calendar week that begins Sunday and ends Saturday.
2. How Unemployment Benefits are Calculated in Pennsylvania
Your Weekly Benefit Rate is the amount you can receive if you are eligible for benefits for a week and your benefits are not reduced for any reason.
Your Weekly Benefit Rate is calculated based on the wages you were paid in your base year.
You must determine the total gross wages received during your base-year period and how much you received during each calendar quarter in the base year.
The quarter in which you were paid the most money is known as your High Quarter. The High Quarter determines your Weekly Benefit Rate.
However, you must also have sufficient qualifying wages or total wages in the base year.
In other words, all your wages cannot have been earned in one quarter.
The amount of qualifying wages needed is determined by the amount of wages in the High Quarter.
To estimate your weekly benefit rate, go to Calculating the Weekly Benefit Rate, then select the Rate and Amount of Benefits Table.
Additionally, there is also a separate page that explains the Partial Benefit Credit.
It’s important to note that Unemployment Benefits eligibility cannot be predetermined.
Your eligibility will be based on the information provided by you and your employer(s) after you have filed your claim.
3. How Much In Unemployment Benefits You will Receive in Pennsylvania
In the state of Pennsylvania, the minimum weekly unemployment benefit amount you could receive is $68 and the maximum is $572.
The amount of unemployment compensation you can receive is known as your “Weekly Benefit Rate,” (WBR).
The WBR is calculated based on your recent earnings.
Generally, the benefits you receive should cover about 50% of your full-time weekly wage, capped at $572 per week.
In addition, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.
However, when unemployment is high, an existing Extended Benefits (EB) program kicks in to add 13 weeks of extra payments.
4. How to Contact The Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment Compensation
Here are the phone numbers to contact the PA unemployment office:
By Phone
Regular UC, PEUC, general questions
888-313-7284
Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (EST)
Videophone Service for ASL Users
717-704-8474
Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (EST)
Sign language is the ONLY means of communication provided at this number.
By Email
Regular UC, PEUC, general questions: UCHelp@pa.gov
In all emails, please provide:
- A brief description of what you need,
- Your full name (as it appears on your claim, including any suffix used), and
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number
If you send an email previously and the issue was addressed or is not impacting your claim payments, you will not receive a response.
5. How to Login to Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) System
Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation (UC) system can be used to apply for and manage your UC benefits anytime, anywhere.
You can use the system to perform the following tasks:
- File or Reopen a Claim
- File for Weekly UC Benefits
- Check Claim Status
- View Benefit Payments
- File a Benefit Appeal
- Manage Personal & Payment information
- Obtain Federal Tax Documents
To log in, follow the steps below:
Step 1 – Visit the UC System Login Page
The first thing you need to do when logging into your PA Unemployment account is to visit the UC system login page.
Once there, click on the “Sign In/Register” link, as shown below:
If this is your first-time login, continue below for help on how to create an account.
Step 2 – Enter your UC System Login Information
Next, you will be taken to the page where you will be required to enter your UC system Keystone ID and Password as shown in the image below.
Enter your login information as requested, then check the “I’m not a robot” box.
Next, click on the “Sign In” button to complete the process.
If this is your first-time login, you will need to create an account.
Go to Option 2 – Create a User Account, click on “Individual” as shown below for instructions on how to create an online account.
How to File Biweekly Claim for Pennsylvania Unemployment Summary
We hope this post on how to File Biweekly Claim for Pennsylvania Unemployment was helpful.
Still Have Questions?
To go to the main Pennsylvania Unemployment page, click here: Pennsylvania Unemployment.
If you have further questions about Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits or Unemployment Debit Card, you can fill out the comment form below and we will answer your question ASAP.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Unemployment Benefits, including:
Whether Unemployment Benefits are Taxable
List of States Extending Unemployment Benefits
Massachusetts DUA Unemployment Debit Card
How to file for Unemployment (in all 50 States)
Unemployment office Phone Number (All 50 States)