William O'Boyle: L&I will transition to new unemployment compensation system in June

Apr. 11—State Rep. Gerald Mullery this week said the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry will be launching a new, streamlined unemployment compensation system on June 8.

"Our current decades-old system caused unnecessary and consistent frustration for thousands of Pennsylvanians this past year," Mullery said. "Through no fault of their own, people struggled to pay their bills and provide for their families because of our antiquated unemployment compensation system. Modernizing our system will streamline the process and ensure the efficient and prompt payment of benefits. "

Mullery, D-Newport Township, said the new UC system will have a different look and feel than the current system and is better aligned with the user interface of modern websites, making it more intuitive to use. It will also provide access to more information and self-serve options and reduce the need for claimants to contact the UC service center.

"This is a significant step to updating our unemployment compensation system, but there is more to be done to bring the system into the 21st century," Mullery said. "My bill in the House Labor & Industry Committee makes those additional updates to our unemployment compensation system."

Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced this week that Pennsylvanians will have a much quicker and easier time filing claims for unemployment compensation (UC) benefits when the department's new UC system launches on June 8.

The system with modern software will replace an obsolete 40-year-old mainframe legacy system.

"The new system will be easy to use, provide access to important information, and streamline the unemployment claim filing process for workers, employers, unemployment program staff, and third-party administrators," Berrier said. "The pandemic stressed an already-antiquated IT platform and we look forward to improving the process so that out-of-work Pennsylvanians can focus their time and attention on finding a new job."

Programs that will transition to the new system are:

—Unemployment Compensation (UC);

—Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC);

—Extended Benefits (EB);

—Shared Work or Short-Time Compensation (STC); and

—Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA).

"Our goal is to modernize the overall process and make it easier for Pennsylvanians who file unemployment claims to receive the payments to which they are entitled," continued Berrier. "The hardworking team at L&I is committed to resolving issues as they arise and helping Pennsylvanians who need our services."

New system features

Individuals currently filing for benefits through one of the above-listed programs will need to use the new UC system to file their weekly or biweekly claims. Additional features of the new system include:

—Filing a new or reopened claim;

—Accessing information about a claim;

—Filing an appeal;

—Checking the status of a payment;

—Using a dashboard to receive important messages from UC staff;

—Changing options such as whether communication is sent electronically or by physical mail, and whether federal income tax is withheld.

Survey: Occupational licensing

challenges for veterans, spouses

Nearly 60 percent of respondents to a Department of State survey of veterans and military spouses with occupational licenses reported they were able to find employment within three months of their transition to civilian life in Pennsylvania, but they spent between $200 and $500 for initial licensing expenses in the commonwealth.

"This yearlong survey gives us valuable information about how Pennsylvania compares to other states and ways we can reduce the barriers veterans and military spouses face when they move here and seek occupational and professional licensure," said Acting Secretary of State Veronica W. Degraffenreid.

More than 200 veterans and military spouses responded to the online survey between Veterans Day of 2019 and Veterans Day of 2020. Seventy-seven percent of the respondents were veterans and nearly 23 percent were military spouses. Nursing, real estate and social work were the three most common license types held by the survey respondents.

The survey questions focused on license portability, barriers to licensure and the overall license application process.

Licensing requirements — which typically include a combination of education, examinations, and work experience — are set by the Pennsylvania Legislature and enforced by the Department of State to protect public health and safety.

Findings from the survey included:

—Translating military credentials and work experience to satisfy state occupational license requirements poses a significant barrier to veterans.

—Respondents reported that "acceptance of military training, education and experience" and license fee waivers would be most beneficial to veterans and military spouses applying for occupational licenses.

—Of the 28 respondents who held an occupational license in both Pennsylvania and another state, 48 percent said the commonwealth's licensing process was similar to that of other states, 23 percent said it was easier and 29 percent said it was more difficult.

These findings led to the following policy recommendations:

—Support recognition of military training and experience to satisfy licensure requirements.

—Establish processes to expedite review of license applications for veterans and military spouses.

—Institute waivers of initial licensure fees for military spouses.

—Increase veteran and military spouse representation on state licensing boards.

—Allow veterans to be licensed by examination.

—Work with state educational and technical institutions and the U.S. Department of Defense to develop bridge programs to fill gaps in training for veterans returning to the civilian workforce.

The Department of State is developing a military occupational crosswalk, which is a framework for converting military duties, skills, training, and certifications to fulfill Pennsylvania's occupational licensing requirements.

Pennsylvania House advances

bills to provide economic recovery

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives was in voting session from April 5-7, and the Republican Caucus continued advancing its priorities of providing for an economic recovery, protecting families and reforming government for the benefit of Pennsylvanians, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) said this week.

Action on economic recovery:

—Passed House Bill 425 and House Bill 427 to help Pennsylvania's restaurants and liquor license holders maximize the benefits of their liquor licenses.

—Passed House Bill 605 to provide COVID-19 liability protection for Pennsylvania's businesses.

—Passed House Bill 290 to help local volunteer fire and ambulance services with Small Games of Chance licenses conduct fundraisers during COVID-19.

—Advanced legislation to provide greater economic mobility for health care professionals.

—Furthered work on legislation to help small businesses conduct business during states of emergency.

"As we begin to look past and recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and related government decisions, House Republicans this week took critical steps to ensure our job creators can reopen safely in earnest," Benninghoff said.

Action on protecting families:

—Passed House Bill 464 to update and streamline the requirements of the Family Caregiver Support Act.

—Passed House Bill 521 to make Pennsylvania roads safer by being tougher on repeat DUI offenders.

—Passed House Bill 951 to create a two-year civil liability window for claims of child sexual abuse that are barred due to the statute of limitations.

—Advanced bills out of committee that strengthens safety for those receiving substance abuse or mental health treatment in recovery homes and ensures access to ventilator care.

—Held a hearing on House Bill 19 that would recognize behavioral therapists as an independent profession and provide better access to behavioral therapists' treatment.

"Providing for the health, safety and welfare of Pennsylvania families is a core function of government and the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus advanced that effort this week in real and meaningful ways," Benninghoff said.

Action on government reform:

—Passed House Bill 39 to provide for recovery audits.

—Advanced House Bill 48 to make the Treasurer's Transparency Portal permanent.

—Passed House Bill 120 to establish a bipartisan commission to analyze past and projected economic conditions to secure the solvency of the Commonwealth.

—Passed House Bill 335 to make daylight saving time permanent.

—Advanced House Bill 607 to provide better oversight of the Delaware River Toll Bridge Commission.

—Advanced House Bill 664 to allow minors to operate lemonade stands without government interference.

—Passed House Bill 854 to provide for COVID-19 record retention policies.