The Department of Labor & Industry Wednesday announced an Unemployment Compensation Amnesty Program aimed at recouping monies owed to the state’s UC Trust Fund. The UC amnesty program runs from July 1 through September 30, 2017.
The announcement was made by Labor & Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino at a kickoff event at the PA CareerLink Luzerne County in Wilkes-Barre.
Both claimants who have received UC benefits that they were not entitled to and employers who have not made mandatory tax contributions to the UC Trust Fund are being offered amnesty to repay what they owe at a discount.
The total amount owed to the UC Trust Fund from both claimants and employers that is eligible for the amnesty program is $651 million.
“Amnesty is an opportunity for claimants and employers who owe the UC Trust Fund to ‘Make It Right,’ pay what they owe at a discount, and end up with a clean slate,” said Sec. Manderino. “Not making good on this financial obligation can impact claimants’ or employers’ credit ratings, subject them to liens on property, hinder their ability to get a loan, or for individuals, to obtain UC benefits in the future.”
More than 139,231 claimants and nearly 39,000 employers are receiving letters advising them of the amnesty program, reminding them of how much they owe and instructing them how to pay it back.
The amnesty campaign will also include a series of short animated videos, digital creative and copy, which will be disseminated via L&I’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
“This is a campaign to make people aware of amnesty, give them a chance to ‘Make It Right,’ but also, it’s a campaign to educate the public on how to avoid getting into a situation where you owe the UC fund,” said Sec. Manderino. “Events such as the one we are hosting today, as well as information available on our amnesty website, will help get these educational messages out will and let the public know what NOT to do so they can avoid an overpayment.”
For more information, visit the UC Amnesty Program website where claimants and employers can also be connected to a payment portal.
