State says PUA unemployment program back up and running for people in desperate need

PITTSBURGH — 11 Investigates told you about the gap in pandemic unemployment benefits several weeks ago. Payments stopped in late December even though Congress passed an extension. The state couldn’t do anything because it had to reprogram the entire computer system.

“So I lost the house. A lot of the bills started coming in really heavy, giving breaks but hitting with interest. Filed bankruptcy. Just couldn’t keep up anymore,” said Lee Zugay. “Why won’t someone just answer the phone and explain what’s going on?”

Zugay is a 59-year-old electrical engineer out of work for 11 months. He’s one of more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians who lost their jobs when COVID-19 hit. He hasn’t gotten an unemployment check since December.

On Friday, the Department of Labor and Industry announced the PUA program was back up and running. People can now file for an additional 11 weeks of payments. To get payments from the missed weeks, you must file by Jan. 29.

It’s good news for Zugay and many others.

“I’m basically living day to day and I’ve become quite humble,” he said. “Literally, I have $7.99 in my checking account.”

CLICK HERE for more information from the state’s unemployment benefits program

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