Is PUA still available in PA in 2025? Filed but got confusing response

PUA ended permanently in September 2021. It was a temporary federal program during the pandemic and is no longer available anywhere in the US. If you filed for it now, you essentially filed for a non-existent program. The PA UC system might have accepted your application because the forms still exist in their database, but you won't receive benefits through this program. Since you mentioned being a 1099 contractor, you likely won't qualify for regular UC either. Pennsylvania unemployment requires W-2 employment with sufficient earnings in your base year. Independent contractors generally don't qualify for any unemployment benefits in PA now that PUA has ended. You might want to check if you qualify for other assistance programs like SNAP or LIHEAP if you're struggling financially.

Wait Im confused to. I thought I saw something about PUA coming back for 2025?? Did anyone else hear this? My cousin said her friend just got approved for something like this last month but maybe it was a different program with a similar name??

i applied for pua back in 2020 and got it but then they said i owed everything back in 2022!!! be careful with these programs they come back later and say u didn't qualify and want all the $$$$ back with interest!!!

I've been dealing with PA UC for years (unfortunately), and I can tell you with 100% certainty that PUA is GONE. The fact that their system still lets people apply for defunct programs is just another example of how BROKEN the whole unemployment system is in Pennsylvania. The same department that takes 12 weeks to process a simple claim can't even update their website to remove programs that ended YEARS ago. You should call them directly to check if you might qualify for regular UC. Sometimes there are exceptions or you might have enough W-2 earnings mixed in with your 1099 work to qualify. BUT GOOD LUCK GETTING THROUGH ON THE PHONE!!!!

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm both relieved to know what's going on and super frustrated that the system let me apply for something that doesn't exist anymore. I'll try calling tomorrow to see if there's anything else I might qualify for, but it sounds like I'm probably out of luck as a 1099 worker. Really wish they would have clear information about this upfront instead of letting people waste time applying!

i think u might be able to get regular uc if you were misclassified as a contractor but were really treated like an employee. did ur boss control when and how u worked? did they provide equipment? worth asking when u call!

To summarize what everyone has said and add some clarity: 1. PUA ended in September 2021 and has not been renewed 2. There are no current federal unemployment programs for 1099 workers in PA 3. Regular UC in Pennsylvania requires W-2 employment with qualifying wages 4. You may have options if you: - Had some W-2 income in your base year - Were misclassified as a contractor - Qualify for other assistance programs (not unemployment) I'd recommend calling PA UC directly and explaining your situation. If you can't get through, consider using a service to help you connect with an agent. The important thing is to get official guidance rather than relying on what others might have heard.