PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Unemployment Compensation claimants in Pennsylvania without easy access to the Internet now have a new file-by-phone option which replaces the old one.
After 40 years, Pennsylvania launched a new online Unemployment Compensation system early last week. A couple of days later, the new version of Pennsylvania Teleclaim (PAT) was activated.
Claimants can dial 888-255-4728 to file.
Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier cleared up one particular misunderstanding about the new system.
"We are hearing some individuals say, when they call into PAT that the system is telling them that they have an issue on their claim," she said.
"As a reminder, the update to the new unemployment system does not remove issues from claims or make an ineligible claim eligible. The new system, however, provides more transparency to individuals about what is going on with their claim."
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According to Berrier, there are some new things claimants will need to do.
"If an individual who has not yet opened a claim wants to file through PAT. they first need to open the claim through the new online system or by calling the UC service center and speaking to a customer service representative," she explained.
"They then need to notify our team that they want to file online so we can send them a PIN."
In addition to the PIN, individuals filing through PAT need their Social Security number. However, PAT does not require a Keystone ID, unlike the online UC system.
More information can be found at the Unemployment Compensation website or by calling the service center at 888-313-7284.