PA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS ENDING

Federal pandemic relief supplemental unemployment compensation benefits have recently ended, meaning that 560,000 Pennsylvanians will no longer be receiving a $300 weekly benefit.  Three supplemental types of benefits, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) have all ended. The PEUC provided benefits for Pennsylvanians whose regular unemployment compensation benefits ran out during the pandemic. The PUA provided self-employed Pennsylvanians with benefits.  The FPUC provided an extra $300 a week to unemployed recipients. The ending of these programs will pose a challenge for many Pennsylvanians who have been relying on the PA Compensation system, including Pennsylvanians who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although all three programs ending has been challenging for many Pennsylvanians, the PA Department of Labor and Industry has explained that there are many alternative resources available for those struggling. These alternative resources include the emergency rental assistance program and the children’s health insurance program. Pennsylvanians can also apply for regular unemployment compensation.

There are also many companies looking to hire during this time. However, Pennsylvania Secretary of Labor and Industry, Jennifer Berrier, stated that people are hesitant to start working again for a few reasons, including lack of childcare and the new Covid variants spreading around the United States.

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Faye Riva Cohen, Esquire is the founder and managing attorney of the Law office of Faye Riva Cohen, P.C. in Philadelphia, PA. She writes a blog called “Tough Lawyer Lady.” She represents clients in labor, discrimination, family law, real estate, and estate litigation issues. Her office is located at 2047 Locust St. in an historic brownstone. She can be reached at 215-563-7776 or at frc@fayerivacohen.com.

Attorney Cohen acknowledges the writing assistance of Gillian Southworth, one of the Firm’s law clerks, who is a student at Duquesne University School of Law.