Help available as federal unemployment benefits end Saturday

With federal unemployment benefits ending for 558,000 Pennsylvanians on Saturday, Sept. 4, other support programs are available to provide help, Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier and Department of Human Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary for the Office of Income Maintenance Inez Titus announced during a Capitol press conference today.

 This is the final week for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) programs. Those eligible will file for the final week of benefits through these federal, pandemic-specific programs during the week ending Sept. 11. The additional $300 per week provided by the federal government for those in the state’s regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) will also end.  

“Many families, through no fault of their own, have seen their incomes decreased or lost entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic downturn,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Titus. “While the federal unemployment programs may be ending, anyone who is still struggling to make ends meet or needs assistance should know that help is available. 

“DHS will not stop providing access to health care, rental assistance, food, and other essential needs to those who need them. There is no shame in asking for help when we need it, so I encourage anybody who might be struggling to reach out and apply for and take advantage of these services. DHS is here to help people pay their bills and stabilize their housing situation as we work to emerge from this unprecedented crisis.”

Resources offered through DHS include: The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP); Medicaid; Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); and Child Care Works (CCW) subsidized child care.

Applications for ERAP, Medicaid, SNAP, and other public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.compass.state.pa.us. SNAP and Medical Assistance applications can also be submitted over the phone by calling 866-550-4355.

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