By July 3, all of Pennsylvania is supposed to have entered the “green” phase of reopening, when most kinds of businesses can restore limited operations after three months of restrictions. During that time, the commonwealth’s unemployment rate hit a record 15%, and many businesses closed permanently. Many jobless workers are being called back — even if life has not returned to normal. | From: WHYY (Read more.)
Top Republicans in Washington like Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey want to “fix” part of the federal unemployment pay. Many unemployed workers hope it remains. | From: NBC10/Telemundo62 (Read more.)
As part of its portion of the CARES Act, Pennsylvania launched the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance system. It was designed for those part of the freelance or gig economy, who are not eligible to apply for traditional unemployment benefits. | From: AL DÍA (Read more.)
The Unemployment Compensation office reviews each case individually to determine whether there’s a permissible reason why an employee can’t go back to work. “Each case is different, and each case needs to be reviewed,” Jerry Oleksiak, the Pennsylvania secretary of labor and industry, told reporters this week. | From: The Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has denied unemployment benefits to about 20% of the 1.6 million new applicants since the coronavirus lockdown began in mid-March. If this includes you, advocates say the first thing is to make sure you filled out the application forms completely and accurately. Any errors can derail your application. Here’s what else you need to know. | From: The Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)
Close to half a million Philadelphians will get direct payouts and more than half a million could be eligible for increased unemployment under the federal coronavirus stimulus program. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
If you’re out of a job because of coronavirus-related business closures, you could get unemployment or worker’s comp pay. In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the state has changed requirements so more people will qualify for benefits. | From: Billy Penn (Read more.)
If you’re one of the workers who has been affected by the pandemic — say, your employer had to shut down because of Mayor Kenney’s Monday order or you’re in self-quarantine and can’t work — there’s a good chance you’re eligible for unemployment benefits from the state. | From: The Philadelphia Inquirer (Read more.)
Dos Puntos’ Emma Restrepo and AL DÍA News Media’s Edwin López Moya interviewed Philadelphia high school students and recent high school graduates about what poverty means to them. (Read more.)
From the Philadelphia Media Network: Throughout the region, low wages make life tough. Low wages with rising prices make life painful. (Read more.)
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