How to file for an unemployment extension in New Jersey, Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio)  People who have exhausted unemployment benefits in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey can now extend their claims for the next 13 weeks. 

Anyone who exhausted unemployment benefits after the first week of July 2019 is likely eligible for what’s known as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which is part of the coronavirus relief bill.

Pennsylvanians who have run out of claims within the last year will get a mailed letter of financial determination on what to do next, and will then be able to certify biweekly claims as before.

But there have been some glitches in the commonwealth, and labor officials say they are working to remedy claims that say they are “inactive.” If your claim still says “inactive,” officials ask that you wait a day or two and check again.

As for New Jerseyans, anyone who hasn’t used all the weeks in their unemployment year can file claims, but others will likely be notified by mail.  

Anyone on the extension program will also receive the extra $600 a week, and can file for that money retroactively.

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