The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) sent an email communication indicating it is using a phased approach to resolve the outstanding issue which many are experiencing regarding being unable to file for earlier weeks in your Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim.
L&I will be opening claim weeks to allow you to file for them on certain days based on the last digit of your Social Security Number (SSN).
PUA claimants not impacted with any missed claim weeks must also file the normal weekly certification on the date assigned by SSN during the roll-out of this solution.
Schedule of SSN Access to the PUA System:
How do I claim weeks that I’m missing?
1. On the date that your SSN falls under on the above schedule, log into the PUA system to file your weekly certification.
2. You will be presented with the oldest week that you have not been able to file for, first. File your certification for this week.
3. If you have additional missed weeks to file for, you will then see a message stating, “If at this time you wish to file your weekly certification (week beginning Day, Month ##, 2020 and ending Day, Month ##, 2020) click Yes. Otherwise click no.” Example below:
Select “Yes, I would like to continue” to continue claiming weeks you’ve been unable to file for. When you select “Yes,” it will save your information for the week you just certified and will provide the next available week for you to file your weekly certification.
4. You’ll continue this process until you’ve filed all missed weeks that you’ve been unable to claim.
PUA Payments
Once you’re able to file for the missing claim weeks, you’ll receive your PUA benefit payments via the UC-issued debit card.
If you do not currently have a UC-issued debit card, you will be receiving one in the U.S. mail very soon. If you received a UC-issued debit card, but discarded it or lost it, you must contact U.S. Bank Reliacard for a replacement at 888-233-5916. Your PUA benefit payments will switch from direct deposit to the UC-issued debit cards starting on or around June 16 until further notice.
The debit card change is necessary to combat fraudulent attempts to obtain PUA benefits. Pennsylvania PUA claimants will receive deposits onto debit cards as their payment method until direct deposit payments resume.
L&I’s PUA team can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 855-284-8545 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please reach out to [email protected] with questions.
We are in this together,
Brinker Simpson & Company, LLC
Disclaimer: This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Information contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used as tax advice & cannot be used by the recipient to avoid penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. We strongly advise you to seek professional assistance with respect to your specific issue(s).