State Unemployment Benefits in Pennsylvania

Reporting a death

Report the claimant's death to the Office of Unemployment Compensation so payments stop, and request the deceased-claimant application form through the UC Service Center or by secure message to UCHelp@pa.gov.¹

Benefits at and after the death

Benefits already due a deceased claimant may be paid without letters of administration under 34 Pa. Code § 65.72, the rule authorized by UC Law § 403.^{2, 3}

Who may claim a final payment

Under 34 Pa. Code § 65.72(a), benefits due a deceased claimant are paid in this order: the surviving spouse; the surviving child or children; the surviving parents; the eldest surviving brother or sister; a person who is not a relative, having an interest in the estate.²

Documents for a final payment

Under 34 Pa. Code § 65.72(c), application for benefits due a deceased claimant is made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Department. Letters of administration are not required.²

Claimant portal

Claimants use the UC system at benefits.uc.pa.gov.⁴

Governing law: Pa. UC Law § 403 (43 P.S. § 803); 34 Pa. Code § 65.72 (payments for deceased or incompetent claimants)

• A downloadable deceased-claimant application form

1. 1.Contact Unemployment Compensation (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
2. 2.34 Pa. Code § 65.72, Payments for deceased or incompetent claimants
3. 3.Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Law, Act of Dec. 5, 1936, Sp. Sess. 2, P.L. 2897, No. 1, § 403 (43 P.S. § 803)
4. 4.Unemployment Compensation (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)