Information on Federal Legislation

Federal legislation seeking to extend unemployment benefits, H.R. 3548, has been passed by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and is expected to be signed into law by the president.

Once enacted, this extension will provide up to an additional 20 weeks of jobless benefits to eligible people who have exhausted all available unemployment compensation and extended benefits. Specifically, it grants 14 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to eligible people in all 50 states, and an additional six weeks on top of that to states with high unemployment (over 8.5 percent).

As currently written, Pennsylvania would qualify for the full amount of additional benefits (20 weeks) provided by the bill, and no legislation would be needed at the state level.

Many people who remain unemployed and eligible for benefits will be able to begin receiving the additional benefits once H.R. 3548 is implemented, but the benefits will not be applied retroactively. Also, please be aware that the federal government has indicated that it may take several weeks for these benefits to reach people.

The state Department of Labor and Industry will contact eligible people by mail to notify them of their ability to receive extended benefits. As such, constituents who believe they are eligible for benefits should refrain from contacting the department until they receive further instructions by mail.

Please call my office at 215-572-5210 if you have any questions.

Information on state UC extensions

Learn about Pennsylvania's new UC extension law