Keystone Works – A Bridge Between Job Seekers & Employers

The department of Labor and Industry, PA administers Keystone works – A popular state sponsored program that provides an opportunity for unemployed workers to receive training with an employer while continuing to receive unemployment compensation benefits. This scheme also gives incentives and other benefits to employers who hire trainees after completion of the training schedule.

How Does it Work?

Pennsylvanians who are claiming unemployment compensation under the state funded arrangement (the first 26 weeks) are eligible to apply for on the job training as they continue receiving weekly benefits. The training period varies by the nature of business but can’t exceed 24 hours per week or 8 weeks. Training is provided on the job at the site and is certified by the The department of Labor and Industry, PA.

 How does it benefit?

  • You will have an opportunity to turn job-specific training into full-time employment.
  • The U.C continues whilst in training.
  • You will gain marketable skills.
  • You will maintain a connection to the workplace.
  • You will expand your professional network.

How to Enrol?

Contact or visit your local PA CareerLink® office. Find the location nearest you.

While you are on a lookout for jobs or additional courses to enhance your skill sets,we suggest that you apply for unemployment compensation with the labor department to claim monetary weekly benefits. Read and be educated on your unemployment eligibility before applying.

 Benefits for Businesses 

  • Businesses participating in Keystone Works program do not have to pay any wages to the trainee.
  • Individuals referred to them are pre-screened to meet specific criteria.
  • Businesses are free to decide if they want to hire the trainees upon successful completion of the training.
  • Businesses who hire trainees receive a monetary incentive for doing so – $375 every four weeks the trainee is employed full time, up to a total of $1,500 per trainee hired.

 Eligibility

  • The business is willing to offer training.
  • The training will not exceed 24 hours per week or eight weeks.
  • The training is for a position in a high priority occupation (see below).
  • The training is bonafide occupational instruction to benefit the claimant and is consistent with the  Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • The business has not had recent layoffs in the occupations to be trained.
  • Training will not displace current employees.
  • The business is not participating in a Shared-Work program.There are no current labor-management disputes or strikes.

This unique and one of its kind program is a win situation for all, unemployed individual, the state and the businesses. It not only helps unemployed individuals back to work, but also strengthens the workforce providing them additional skills.This program has proven it worth by reducing the strain on U.C fund and contributes to consolidation of the state economy.

For expert advice and questions on unemployment benefits , visit PA Unemployment online community.

How to Contact PA Unemployment Office

During the application time for jobless benefits, you may need to make contact with your local office quite a few times. This can be in response to a request for extra paperwork, as you have a simple question or because you have not been obtaining the promised benefits.

Watch this video which has vital information on contacting PA unemployment office –

What method of contact is better depends mostly on your reason for contacting it.

Unemployment compensation (UC) services are offered by telephone through local call centers and online. You may call the Unemployment compensation service center at 888-313-7284. A listing of local phone numbers, mailing addresses and fax numbers for the UC service centers is obtainable on the state map of services near you.

Select any county from the record and scroll down to: UC Benefit Services.

Be all set for long waits as lots of people attempt to do the same thing that you are. Remain patient and you will get through to someone who can assist you. Even if it’s annoying to wait so long, be polite to the person you get connected to and you will get a lot more assistance than if you are rude.

Whenever you call the PA unemployment phone number, ensure you have Social Security number, dates of employment and a paper to take down relevant notes.

UC Service Centers

In case you have filed an application for UC benefits within the last year, and have a specific question about your claim or your eligibility, call the UC service center.

Local and Toll-Free Service Center Phone Numbers:

UC Service Center Statewide Toll-Free Number 888-313-7284
TTY Services for Deaf andHard-of-Hearing Toll-Free 888-334-4046
Videophone Service for ASL Users-Wednesdays, noon-4 p.m. 717-704-8474
Allentown 610-821-6735
Altoona 814-941-6801
Duquesne 412-267-1315
Erie 814-871-4311
Indiana 724-599-1250
Lancaster 717-299-7711
Scranton 570-565-3048

Every UC service center is open from 8:a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mondays are usually a heavy call day. Individuals who wish to apply or claim UC benefits are encourages filing online or calling the UC service center later in the day and later in the week, preferably, when call volume is lighter.

In times of high call volume, a call back system may be in place. If you would like a return call, you must enter your Social Security number along with the telephone number where you can be reached. Calls are returned from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The UC service center telephone system uses line blocking or caller ID block.

Callers who have unidentified call rejection activated on their telephone must disable this service to get calls from the UC service center.

By making a choice on the area map, you can obtain a list of these offices and other services available in your area.

If you have not filed an application for UC benefits within the past year, and have common questions about UC or questions about your UC-1099G (Statement for Recipients of PA UC Payments) provided for income tax purposes, call 717-783-3140 to (TTY for deaf or hard of hearing at 800-577-7216) the service center Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Pennsylvania Teleclaims-PAT Directory

Pennsylvania Teleclaims, or PAT, is an automatic self-service system employed by persons with access to a touch-tone telephone to

  • file biweekly UC claims
  • access specific benefit payment information
  • learn about the commonwealth’s UC program, without the involvement of an agent.

These services are accessible on Sunday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

PAT Local and Toll-Free Numbers:

PAT Toll-free 888-255-4728
PAT Toll-free TTY 800-778-4728
Español- PAT 877-888-8104
Allentown 610-821-6659
Altoona 814-941-6849
Duquesne 412-267-1494
Erie 814-878-5700
Indiana 724-599-1004
Lancaster 717-299-7560
ScrantonScranton TTY 570-562-4800570-562-4871
HarrisburgHarrisburg en Espanol 717-231-4055717-231-405