Pennsylvania state officials have introduced a new initiative intended to support residents filing for unemployment compensation. This involves the installation of identity verification kiosks at 17 CareerLink offices and 29 UPS locations around the Commonwealth. The Department of Labor and Industry intends to have these kiosks at all CareerLink offices by July. The goal is to help individuals who either do not have internet access or struggle with technology. These kiosks will carry out digital identity verification measures, often through ID.me, a company contracted by the state to verify the identities of unemployment claimants. This move came about after 2020 saw a surge in pandemic-related unemployment fraud. While advocates have raised concerns about the accessibility of online processes for some residents, these new kiosks stand to potentially enable more individuals to access unemployment support more easily. The effectiveness of this initiative hinges on the level of personal assistance provided at these locations, as navigating the ID.me process can be complex for some claimants.

If unemployment claimants need further assistance during this process, they are also encouraged to get ahold of the unemployment department through calling customer service. Websites such as eddcaller.com provide useful information on this matter. They list a range of numbers to contact different departments, helping users reach the right department for their inquiries. With accurate information, individuals can have their questions answered promptly, allowing the process to run more smoothly. Instructions for reaching a live person are also available on these platforms, further making the process user-friendly. The new measures hope to ensure no claimant is left unsupported due to lack of resources or an understanding of technological processes.