Are the Benefits Taxable in Pennsylvania?

Unemployment Insurance benefits are subject to federal and state income taxes.

For unemployed workers who received unemployment insurance benefits, the IRS will tax all benefits after the first $2400. If taxes were not automatically withdrawn from your unemployment benefits check you could end up being liable for hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in taxes.

If you are searching for a job, gather all of your job search related receipts. You may be able to deduct expenses for items such as parking fees, resume services and even long distance phone calls and travel expenses related to searching for work.

Working Part-time and Collecting Unemployment in PA

You can work part-time and get unemployment benefits in Pennsylvania. In most cases, you are allowed to earn up to half of your weekly unemployment check while getting unemployment compensation. So, you are getting a $500 a week unemployment check, you can get up to $250 a week at a part time job without losing your benefits. Please contact PA Unemployment Office to get more details

Extended Unemployment Benefits

You can receive benefits extension, but there are some restrictions. You should contact the employment agency to determine the eligibility.

Severance Pay and Unemployment Benefits

You must report all payments received when filing your claim. Service Center will determine your weekly benefits. When a claimant receives or will receive a payment for any period after his last day of work, the UC Service Center must determine the nature of the payment. A payment that is considered to be severance, separation or salary continuation is not deductible from UC benefits, because these payments are not remuneration for services performed while UC benefits are being claimed.

Getting training while receiving PA unemployment compensation

The unemployment office will not pay for job training while claiming unemployment compensation benefits. Unemployment compensation does not pay training costs or tuition. Training opportunities may be available through Pennsylvania’s CareerLink system. You may visit their Web site at www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.

Attending college while receiving PA unemployment compensation

The PA State Labour Law does not disqualify you from receiving benefits just because you are a full or part-time student. You will be eligible for any claim week that you are in training approved by the Secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry and are otherwise eligible.

You can file your claim online or through phone. Online application is always preferred as it is less error prone and gets you quick response. To contact Pennsylvania State Unemployment Office visit their website at www.dli.state.pa.us

You will find  necessary information to file you claims such as eligibility criteria, application process, appeal process etc.

If you prefer to to talk to someone live then you can contact Unemployment Compensation Services Office. Their toll free number is 1-888-313-7284. The working hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If your Social Security number ends in an even number, call on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday. If it ends in an odd number, call on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Other Important PA Unemployment Contact Information

Use the contact information below to obtain other employment related services

Bureau of Unemployment Compensation Benefits and Allowances

Provides statewide policy and procedure for the adjudication and payment of unemployment claims to ensure compliance with federal standards and the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law and Regulations. Processes claim adjustments related to wage records and unemployment compensation benefit overpayments, adjudicates employer requests for relief from charges, and provides claim-specific information to unemployment compensation customers. Develops claims systems to enhance claims processing and customer service.

• General Inquieries: 717-787-3547
• Claims Information: 717-783-3140

Office of Unemployment Compensation Tax Services

• 717-787-7679
• 866-403-6163

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)

• 717-787-5244
• 800-442-6351
• 800-233-3008 TTY

Pennsylvania Conservation Corps – 717-783-6385

Employment Services

• Bureau of Workforce Development Partnership – 717-787-3354
• Pennsylvania CareerLink – www.dli.state.pa.us; Keyword: “jobs”

PA CareerLink is the delivery system for employment, training, and education services in the commonwealth. Programs are coordinated and delivered locally at PA CareerLink centers throughout the state. The primary delivery mechanism for services is an Internet-based system to promote a self-service environment. In addition, staff-assisted services are available at comprehensive PA CareerLink centers across the state. PA CareerLink partner agencies are co-located, to work toward providing a seamless delivery system through an integration of systems and coordination of services for job seekers and employers.

Pennsylvania Workforce Development

Workforce professionals, employers and job seekers can find additional information at the Pennsylvania Workforce Development web site.