General Eligibility

• Pennsylvania laws are similar to those in other states regarding general unemployment eligibility. To receive benefits, an employee must have worked for an employer who paid unemployment insurance and must have lost her job through no fault of her own. Pennsylvania law allows for certain exceptions. For example, an employee may be able to quit her job voluntarily because of transportation problems. The transportation problem must not be the employee's fault and it must be "insurmountable." Additionally, the employee must remain ready, willing and able to accept suitable employment while on benefits.
  
  

Financial Eligibility

• Pennsylvania unemployment benefits also depend on how much the employee earned. According to the Pennsylvania Bar Association, an employee must have earned at least $800 in the calendar year quarter and been paid at least $1,320 in the total base year. The base year is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Further, an employee must have earned at least $50 or more in 16 calendar weeks during the base year.
  
  

Benefits Determination

• The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry determines the unemployment benefit amount based on the worker's wages. The wages a worker earned during the highest calendar quarter determines the benefit amount. In 2011, for example, a worker who earned between $2,738 and $2,762 in the highest calendar quarter would qualify for $112 per week in benefits.
  
  

Maximum Amounts and Application

• The maximum benefit amount is subject to change. As of June 2011, an employee could not earn more than $573 per week in unemployment benefits. To qualify for this amount, the employee must have earned $14,263 or more in the highest calendar quarter. Employees must renew benefit applications to continue receiving benefits. To file a claim, an employee must have his Social Security number, address, prior employment information (including the names and addresses of each employer and the dates of employment) and the reason for leaving the job.