May 18, 2020
We received an email on May 14 from the Unemployment Compensation Program Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry that we thought we should share with you.
On March 27, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf signed
Act 9 of 2020 into law, and included in Act 9 is Section 206.1 of the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation (UC) Law. Section 206.1 requires employers to provide notification of the availability of unemployment compensation (UC) to employees at the time of separation from employment. Section 206.1 sets forth the information that must be included in the notice. The department has created form UC-1609, Employer Information, for employers to use to satisfy the notification requirement in Section 206.1.
This form may be downloaded in English
here, or in Spanish
here.
You must complete this notice and provide it to each employee at the time of separation, or when hours are reduced.
What you must know about Section 206.1 and the Employer Information form, UC-1609:
- You must provide it to each employee when they separate or have reduced hours.
- You must deliver it individually to the employee.
- You may choose the method of delivery, including in-person, regular mail, email, or text message.
- If a closing or separation is unexpected, you are still required to satisfy the notification requirement of Section 206.1.
- Mandatory postings about UC do not meet this requirement
This form is not just mandatory to inform employees about UC, but is intended to provide accurate information for use when UC claims are filed. If wrong information is given on a claim, it can create delays that can lead to incorrect determinations, which could increase your tax rate. This form can help your company save money by reducing inaccurate claims, and subsequently, inaccurate charges to your account -- charges that would require extra time and energy on your part to remove.
If you have any questions or concerns about this requirement or the UC-1609, you may contact the Office of Unemployment Compensation Benefits Policy. Email LI,BUCB-UIEMPCHARGE@pa.gov or call the Employer Information Line at 833-728-2367.
General
FAQs are available from the UC office.
Click here for the Employers Quick Guide on UC.
Feel free to contact any member of our team at (610) 828-1900 (PA) or (732) 341-3893 (NJ) with questions. Rich Higgins, CPA, managing principal – New Jersey office can be contacted at
Richard.Higgins@MCC-CPAs.com
. I can be reached at
Marty.McCarthy@MCC-CPAs.com
. As always, we are happy to help.
Stay safe,
Marty McCarthy, CPA, CCIFP
Managing Partner
McCarthy & Company
Source: Unemployment Compensation Program Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Disclaimer: This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Information contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used as tax advice, and cannot be used by the recipient to avoid penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. We strongly advise you to seek professional assistance with respect to your specific issue(s).
