What’s Happening in Pennsylvania?
-
Crush of unemployment claims straining unemployment system
HARRISBURG — State Department of Labor officials said the “sheer volume” of more than 1 million first-time jobless has led to delays of up to three weeks for some people to get the personal identification numbers that allow them to submit their weekly claims for unemployment benefits. Secretary of Labor and Industry Jerry Oleksiak said…
-
Need a job? Pa. Department of Labor & Industry launches new online COVID-19 job portal
Are you looking for a job? The state has shut down many businesses and closed the doors to the public for many of them due to the coronavirus pandemic but it has also allowed a myriad of “life-sustaining’ businesses to stay open. And many of those businesses are hiring and the state is planning to…
-
Pennsylvania Begins Implementing New Federal Unemployment Benefits, Eligible Claimants Get Extra $600 Starting Next Week
Governor Tom Wolf announced today the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits and extends unemployment compensation…
-
Washington eases federal food assistance guidelines for Pennsylvania
Gov. Tom Wolf this week asked Washington to ease restrictions on federal food assistance programs, to help meet the needs of a growing number of families economically affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The approval has been granted. Pennsylvania has gotten the go-ahead to proceed with a Disaster Household Distribution program, which will allow state officials to ensure that…
-
Governor Wolf Announces Financial Assistance Available to Small Businesses
March 25, 2020 Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that new funding is available to help small businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, through a new program under the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority’s (PIDA) Small Business First Fund, the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA). The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) recently authorized…
-
Department of Human Services Provides Guidance Related to Employment and Training Programs and Work Requirements in Light of COVID-19
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services (DHS) today released guidanceOpens In A New Window for its employment and training (E&T) programs in coordination with Governor Wolf’s mitigation guidance regarding COVID-19. Because closure of non-essential services will affect program operations, people participating in employment and training programs to meet a work participation requirement should participate remotely or…
-
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF UP TO $100 MILLION IN NATIONAL HEALTH EMERGENCY DISLOCATED WORKER GRANTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $100 million for Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) to help address the workforce-related impacts of the public health emergency related to COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a nationwide public health emergency as…
-
Pennsylvania Workers Affected by COVID-19 May be Eligible for Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Harrisburg, PA – Workers in Pennsylvania who are impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation benefits, Secretary of Labor & Industry (L&I) Jerry Oleksiak announced today. Unemployment compensation claims should be submitted online for faster processing. “As Pennsylvania and the nation implement mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is important to relieve some…