Despite a delay in Congress, Pennsylvanians receiving emergency unemployment compensation benefits should continue to file their bi-weekly claims, Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito said on April 1. Although the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or EUC, program begins to phase out April 5, claimants are able to continue collecting EUC benefits on their current tier of benefits.

“Individuals receiving unemployment benefits should continue filing their bi-weekly claims and refrain from calling the UC Service Centers with eligibility questions,” Vito said. “Benefit payments will continue without interruption if Congress acts quickly to extend the program when it returns on April 12. If there are any benefit changes as result of the new legislation being considered by Congress, the department will notify the affected individuals. Unfortunately, claimants will not be eligible for any additional tiers of EUC benefits if the program is not extended.

“We have continued to voice our concerns about Congress’ inability to restore this important financial lifeline for Pennsylvanians who are out of work through no fault of their own. If nothing is done, the maximum duration of unemployment benefits will drop to 39 weeks, from 99 weeks. This is simply not acceptable at a time when, nationally, long-term unemployment has steadily increased.”

Established in 2008, the EUC program provided up to 53 weeks of additional unemployment benefits for individuals who have exhausted the maximum 26 weeks of state benefits. Additionally, federal funding has enabled Pennsylvanians to qualify for up to 20 weeks of state extended benefits.

In March, legislation signed by President Obama extended until April 5 the qualification period for the EUC program, COBRA health care coverage premium reduction, $25 weekly Federal Additional Compensation payment and full federal funding of state extended unemployment benefits.

Information about unemployment compensation programs is available at www.uc.pa.gov. Individuals should contact their health plan or insurance provider for information regarding the COBRA benefit. For additional assistance on COBRA, contact a federal Employee Benefits Security Administration benefits advisor toll-free at 1-866-444-3272.