HARRISBURG, PA — Secretary Nancy A. Walker of the Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is reminding Pennsylvanians who received Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits in 2023 to keep an eye out for form 1099-G in their mailboxes or online UC dashboards. This document is essential for filing tax returns this year. The department sent all forms to UC claimants by January.
The L&I has published a comprehensive FAQ about 1099-G forms on its website to assist claimants with any questions they might have. Those who suspect an error in their form should contact the department to request a corrected one.
This comes after Governor Josh Shapiro’s pledge to revamp the UC system when he took office a year ago. Under Secretary Walker’s leadership, significant strides have been made toward improving customer service. In 2023, L&I distributed over $1.7 billion in UC benefits to approximately 326,000 Pennsylvanians who lost jobs or work hours through no fault of their own.
Thanks to a bipartisan budget investment, the UC system will continue to enhance customer service and reduce timelines for new claims determination throughout 2024. In December 2023 alone, L&I received 63,814 claims and distributed UC benefits totaling $160,195,667 to 102,093 eligible claimants.
In addition to processing claims, the department also provided support to 92,167 individuals through the UC helpline, 6,413 individuals via the UC Live Chat service, and 15,235 individuals through email. Since May 2023, most emails have been answered within 24 hours.
The UC Connect program further extended in-person customer service at Pennsylvania CareerLink® locations, serving 3,080 individuals in December and a total of 64,346 since its launch in May 2022.
Claimants are reminded to file their weekly benefit certifications online or by using the Department’s touch-tone telephone service, PAT, to maintain their benefits.
However, if you received a 1099-G form but did not file for benefits, it might indicate identity theft. If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to L&I either online or by calling the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469. Victims should proceed with filing their tax returns, excluding fraudulent income listed on the 1099-G form.
Apart from UC assistance, L&I offers Rapid Response Services for businesses and workers facing job dislocation due to natural disasters, economic transitions, planned layoffs, or closures. In 2023, these services were provided to 335 employers and 16,910 workers. Business owners experiencing economic challenges can contact the department for Rapid Response assistance, and workers can find additional support through the PA CareerLink® network.
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