Pennsylvanians calling about Unemployment Compensation (UC) now receive help in just 9 minutes—the fastest response in over six years. Before Governor Shapiro took office, wait times regularly exceeded one hour. Now, thanks to the Shapiro Administration’s modernization efforts, assistance is only minutes away. Read more.

All questions related to Unemployment Benefits please call 888-313-7284 or email UCHELP@PA.GOV

Filing for Unemployment in the Lehigh Valley

Unemployment Compensation (UC) provides income support if you lose your job through no fault of your own. If you qualify, you will receive money from the UC fund for a limited time to help you while you look for another job. To be covered by the UC program, you must have worked for an employer who is required by law or elects to pay into the UC fund. All applications are checked thoroughly. Fraud is prosecuted and may result in fines and/or imprisonment or other penalties. To protect yourself, only give complete, accurate and factual information when filing your claim.

For more information, visit the Office of Unemployment Compensation website.

How To File For Unemployment Compensation 

You should file a new claim or reopen an existing claim as soon as you become unemployed or your hours are reduced. Learn more about filing an initial unemployment claim online.

The fastest and easiest way to check the status of your initial or re-opened claim is online.

How to Contact the Office of Unemployment Compensation

Email

Due to the high volume of calls and UC Live Chat requests, the best way to get assistance from the UC team is to send an email to uchelp@pa.gov.

For specific questions about your claim, provide your full name (as it appears on your claim, including any suffix used) and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

Virtual Assistant FAQ

Call the Unemployment Compensation Virtual Assistant at 877-978-1295 for answers to your frequently asked questions.

UC Live Chat

The UC LiveChat online feature offers the same level of services and personalized assistance that you receive on the phone. All you need to do is call 888-313-7284 for a secure six-digit LiveChat code. This will allow the UC Office to verify your identity and provide specific information concerning your claim or questions.

Your secure LiveChat code can also be used for future inquiries or LiveChat discussions, so you can skip the phone wait time and do everything online!

UC LiveChat is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM-5 PM.

Phone

UC Service Centers Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday, 8 AM-4 PM

Toll Free UC Service Center:
888-313-7284

Toll Free TTY (Hearing Impaired):
888-334-4046

Pennsylvania Teleclaims (PAT) Hours of Operation:
Sunday 6 AM to 11 PM
Monday through Friday 6 AM to 9 PM
Toll Free PAT: 888-255-4728
PAT gratis en Español: 877-888-8104

Videophone Service for American Sign Language Users:
Wednesday from noon to 4 PM at 717-704-8474

Find A Job — Get Connected with Pennsylvania CareerLink^®

UC’s first goal is to help you find a job. To do this, UC works with Pennsylvania CareerLink^® to match claimants with available jobs. During the initial claims process, the UC service representative gathers information such as what type of work you are seeking to assist PA CareerLink^® in matching your employment needs with available jobs. When one or more job matches are found, you will receive a letter from PA CareerLink^® telling you about these and other career opportunities. PA CareerLink^® may also send a letter to you offering reemployment services such as workshops or information about special programs.