New Unemployment Compensation System Coming To PA: What To Know

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania will launch a new unemployment compensation claims system this spring, the Department of Labor & Industry announced this week.

Officials expect residents will have a "much quicker and easier time" filling out claims once the new system launches on June 8.

The new system will replace a 40-year-old mainframe legacy system, the department said.

“The new system will be easy to use, provide access to important information, and streamline the unemployment claim filing process for workers, employers, unemployment program staff, and third-party administrators,” said Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “The pandemic stressed an already-antiquated IT platform and we look forward to improving the process so that out-of-work Pennsylvanians can focus their time and attention on finding a new job.”

The new system will have a different look and feel than the current system and will be "better aligned with the user interface of modern websites, making it more intuitive to use," according to an announcement from the department. It will also provide access to more information and self-serve options and reduce the need for claimants to contact the service center.

Here's what you need to know about the new system:

What Programs Will Transition

The following programs will transition to the new system: Unemployment Compensation (UC); Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC); Extended Benefits (EB); Shared Work or Short-Time Compensation (STC); and Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).

The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program operates on a separate system and will not be affected by the transition of other programs to the new system.

Helping Users Prepare

User guides and live workshops with experts will be held in advance to assist residents with learning how to use the new system. Dates of the workshops and how to access them will be announced in the coming weeks. An additional 500 to 1,000 customer service representatives and 180 interviewers will be hired to help Pennsylvanians with their questions and claims.

New System Features

People currently filing for benefits through one of the above-listed programs will need to use the new UC system to file their weekly or biweekly claims. Additional features of the new system include the ability to file a new or reopened claim, access information about a claim, file an appeal, check payment status and more.

The new UC system will provide employers with the ability to receive important information and notices via their dashboard and additional self-service options for managing their benefit information.

During the transition, the claims system will need to be taken offline for all users for a period of approximately two weeks. The state said it will be providing regular updates and information about that and other changes.

More information is here: www.uc.pa.gov.