You can file for benefits and get important messages about your claim using the online UC portal.
In June 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry upgraded the technology it uses to run the unemployment compensation program.
Because of this upgrade, claimants can now use the online UC portal to see eligibility determinations, a detailed payment history, fill out questionnaires, send in appeals, and more.
Getting started with the UC system:
No. In the new system, you will use a username and password to log into your UC portal to file a claim.
If you have been using a Keystone ID username and password to log in to your UC portal, you can keep using that to log in.
If you try using your Keystone ID username and password to log in, but get an error message when logging in, you need to reset your password.
If you are using the UC portal for the first time, you will make your own username and password when you apply for benefits.
You will file online at https://benefits.uc.pa.gov/.
It is really important to set your “notification preference” in your contact information to “internal message with email notification.” This way, you will get an email every time a new message is sent to your portal. Otherwise, you may miss new messages or new determinations that have short appeal deadlines.
If you have any issues with filing online in the system, you can always file using the automated telephone system, which only requires your SSN and PIN.
Toll free 888-255-4728 (English) or 877-888-8104 (Spanish).
If you do not have a PIN, call the UC Service Center (888-313-7284) to get one.