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  1. admin02

    This is a common question with remote work, and the answer is usually based on where the work is physically performed.

    Here is a breakdown of how unemployment works for an employee living in Pennsylvania (PA) and working remotely for a company based in Illinois (IL).

    1. Does the Company Need to Register for Unemployment in PA?
    Yes, the Illinois company most likely needs to register for unemployment in Pennsylvania.

    State Unemployment Tax Assessment (SUTA), or Unemployment Compensation (UC) in Pennsylvania, is generally paid to the state where the employee performs their work.

    Employer Obligation: Since the employee is performing all of their services (100% remote work) in Pennsylvania, the Illinois company is typically required to register with the Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment Compensation Tax Services and pay state unemployment taxes to PA for that employee.

    PA Registration Requirement: All employers providing full or part-time employment to one or more workers must register with the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Office of UC Tax Services. New employers must register within 30 days of the covered services being first performed.

    Multi-State Rules: The Department of Labor uses a hierarchy of tests to determine which state is responsible for an employee’s unemployment contributions. For a fully remote employee working from their home, the service is “localized” in their home state, which makes the remote employee’s state (Pennsylvania) the correct state for the employer to pay unemployment taxes.

    In summary, the company’s location in Illinois is less relevant than the employee’s work location in Pennsylvania for unemployment tax purposes.

    2. How Does Unemployment Work for the Employee (Claimant)?
    If the PA remote employee were to become unemployed, they would generally file their claim with Pennsylvania.

    Filing State: In most cases, you file your unemployment claim in the state where you worked and earned your wages. Since the company has been paying UC taxes to Pennsylvania (the state where the work was performed), Pennsylvania is the correct state to file the claim.

    Combined-Wage Claim: If you had also worked and earned wages in Illinois or other states during the “base period,” you might need to file a Combined-Wage Claim (CWC). However, since the position is 100% remote in PA, a standard PA claim is typically appropriate, assuming all wages were reported to PA.

    PA Claim Process:

    The employee would file an initial application for Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.

    They would be required to meet Pennsylvania’s eligibility requirements, including work and wage requirements, and being unemployed through no fault of their own.

    Unless exempt, the employee would also be required to register with PA CareerLink® within 30 days of filing the claim as part of the job registration requirement.

    Important Note: Because state and federal tax laws for multi-state employment can be complex and change frequently, the Illinois company should consult with a payroll or tax professional to ensure full compliance with Pennsylvania’s specific employer registration and tax remittance requirements.

  2. admin02

    Unemployment insurance programs are run at the state level, so the first and most important step is to contact the unemployment office in the state where you worked to get the most accurate instructions.

    Here is a general breakdown of the most likely scenarios and the steps you should take:

    Scenario 1: Your Previous Claim is Still “Active” (Within the Benefit Year)
    If your original claim was filed less than a year ago (the standard “benefit year”) and it just stalled or you stopped filing, you may not need to file a “new” claim but rather reopen or restart your existing one.

    What to do:

    Log into Your Online Account: Go to your state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) website (Department of Labor, Employment Security Department, etc.).

    Look for “Reopen/Restart Claim”: Check your online dashboard or claim status. There is often a specific option to “Reopen Claim,” “Restart Your Claim,” or “File an Additional Claim.” This is typically faster than filing an entirely new application.

    Certify for Benefits: Once your claim is reopened, you’ll need to begin filing your weekly or bi-weekly certifications immediately to start receiving benefits.

    Scenario 2: Your Previous Claim Was Denied (Failure Due to an Issue)
    If your claim failed because you received a denial or non-monetary determination (e.g., deemed ineligible due to the reason you left your job, not enough wages in the base period, etc.), you generally have two options:

    File an Appeal: If you disagree with the reason your claim was denied, you have a right to file an appeal (usually within a short deadline, like 10-30 days). The denial letter should include instructions on how to appeal the decision.

    Request Reconsideration (Monetary Issues): If the failure was due to incorrect wages or missing employment history on your Monetary Determination letter, you should fill out a Request for Reconsideration or a Wage Protest form and submit proof of your wages (like pay stubs or W-2s).

    It is strongly recommended to deal with the old claim (appeal/reconsideration) before attempting a new one, as the original “fail” reason may affect any new application.

    Scenario 3: Your Previous Claim’s “Benefit Year” Has Ended
    A standard unemployment claim is valid for one year (52 weeks) from the date you filed it. If more than a year has passed since you initially filed your claim, it has expired, and you will need to file a new initial claim (also called refiling).

    What to do:

    File a New Initial Claim: Go to your state’s UI website and look for the option to “File a New Unemployment Insurance Claim.” This will start the entire process over and determine if you meet the wage requirements for a new “base period.”

    Gather Required Documents: You will need current information for all your employers from the last 18 months, including their names, addresses, and dates of employment.

    Immediate Action Steps to Take
    Since unemployment is governed by the state where you worked, the fastest and most efficient way to proceed is to contact your state’s Department of Labor or Employment Security Department.

    Identify Your State’s Agency: Find the official website for the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked.

    Contact a Claims Representative: Look for a phone number or secure online messaging system on their website. Explain that you had a prior claim that did not process and you need to know whether to reopen/restart or file a new initial claim.

    File Immediately: It is crucial to file your claim (or reopen it) during your first week of unemployment, as benefits are not typically paid for weeks before you apply.

    Key Information You Should Have Ready
    Your Social Security Number.

    Your address, phone number, and email.

    Employment information for all jobs worked in the last 18 months (employer name, address, phone number, start/end dates, and reason for separation).

    Your last claim’s filing date (if you remember it).

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