Ortitay Proposes Bill to Help Address COVID-19-related Unemployment Compensation Claim Issues

July 10, 2020

HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today introduced legislation to help end the backlog in unemployment claims due to the governor’s COVID-19 pandemic closure.

“Millions of Pennsylvanians lost their jobs when businesses were forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ortitay said. “To add insult to injury, many people have struggled to receive unemployment payments they deserve and have exhausted all of their savings. Four months into this pandemic the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry continues to have a substantial backlog of claims. I’m hopeful by adding temporary staff and making upgrades we can finally become current with requests.”

House Bill 2690 would use $20 million from the federal CARES Act funding to hire temporary employees and pay for expenses related to information management, communications technology and other infrastructure components within unemployment compensation division at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.

Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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