Category Archives: Unemployment Compensation
Can a Pennsylvania Worker Refuse to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania workers fall into two broad categories: Those who cannot work due to the state’s stay-at-home order (or worse, were laid off or furloughed); and Those who have to report to work despite the risk of coronavirus exposure. While there is little you can do if you cannot work due… Read More »
What is the Status of Pennsylvania Unemployment Hearings?
As of March 23, 2020 the Unemployment Compensation Referees’ Offices have continued hearings already scheduled for Carlisle, Harrisburg, York and Lancaster. Those hearings that will be rescheduled as well as new hearings will be scheduled to take place as telephone hearings. Claimants who receive a notice of telephone hearing should be aware that there… Read More »
The Department of Labor and Industry Offers Guidance on Unemployment Compensation Eligibility for Pennsylvania Workers
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has published guidance on eligibility for Unemployment Benefits for Pennsylvania Workers impacted by shutdowns related to the Covid-19 Corona Virus pandemic. According to the DLI website impacted workers may be eligible if: Your employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19 Your employer… Read More »
Pennsylvania State Senators Seek to Further Restrict Unemployment Benefits
Pennsylvania State Senator Mike Reagan recently introduced legislation seeking to amend the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Act (“the Act”) making it more difficult for unemployment Claimants to collect benefits. Senate Bill No. 473 would amend section 402(b) of the Act which addresses eligibility when Claimants voluntarily leave work. Under existing law, a Claimant would be… Read More »
What You Should Know About Pennsylvania Unemployment Telephone Hearings
Last Fall, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry was required to lay off 500 employees who worked for the Unemployment Compensation Bureau as a result of a funding dispute between the state legislature and the Governor’s office. Many of these employees worked in Unemployment Service Centers throughout the state and others were Unemployment… Read More »
Fault v. Non-Fault Overpayment in Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation
In the matter of Fugh v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court addressed whether an unemployment claimant who had incorrectly stated that “lack of work” was the reason for her unemployment could be found to have engaged in conduct which justified a fault overpayment of benefits. Under Pennsylvania Unemployment (UC) law,… Read More »
Pennsylvania Funding Cuts Affect Access to Unemployment Benefits
Due to state funding cuts to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the staff at the Unemployment Service Centers which process claims have been significantly reduced. As a result it has become more difficult for unemployed Pennsylvanians to file claims and to get answers to questions on how to properly address issues that… Read More »
The Pennsylvania Unemployment Law and Financial Eligibility Changes
When unemployed workers begin the application process for Unemployment Benefits, many take for granted that they will be financially eligible for benefits. Financial eligibility requires a determination that the employee has worked a sufficient number of “credit weeks” in their “base year” and that they have sufficient earnings in the four quarters of their… Read More »
WHAT IS A TERMINATION PETITION?
Will a Termination Petition affect my weekly benefits? Not immediately and hopefully never. If the Employer wins a Termination Petition, the injured workers’ weekly comp checks will stop. However, the filing of a Termination Petition does not mean wage loss benefits will immediately or ever stop. The injured workers’ benefits can continue as the… Read More »
Have I Been Wrongfully Discharged?
We often receive calls from employees who have been “wrongfully terminated” from their jobs. Many of these unfortunate people have performed their jobs for many years without incident and then out of the blue they are let go. Others have been employed for short periods, have had no prior warnings or discipline and they… Read More »