The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) issued additional guidance on March 17, 2020 regarding eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits for loss of wage income related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A worker may be eligible under the following circumstances:
- Your employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19
- Your employer reduces your hours because of COVID-19
- You have been told not to work because your employer feels you might get or spread COVID-19
- You have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, or live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts
L&I also announced that it was waiving certain procedural requirements for employees affected by the pandemic who file for unemployment compensation benefits. Specifically, L&I advised that applicants no longer will need to wait one week before applying for and receiving benefits; do not need to show proof that they are searching for alternative employment; and do not need to register with the state’s job search website. Each of these three steps are typically required for applicants.
Employers should keep apprised of forthcoming developments related to pending federal legislation that is likely to affect the receipt of unemployment compensation benefits.
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