PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The wait for additional unemployment benefits from the federal government is about to end for thousands of Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier announced Friday that thousands of Pennsylvanians will begin receiving an extra $300 per week in unemployment payments within a week. The money is included in the federal stimulus package approved by Congress last month.

The $300 is sent automatically to anyone enrolled in Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits program. The additional benefits will be paid for claim weeks ending Jan. 2 to March 13, 2021.

There is a temporary pause for those receiving funds through two federal unemployment programs that stopped in December and were extended at the last minute.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides payments to gig workers, independent contractors, those who are self-employed and others who were not eligible for traditional benefits — and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program provides an additional 13 weeks in payments for those who have exhausted traditional benefits. State officials say the delay in approving the extension of the programs will cause a gap in benefits that could last several weeks. However, when payments resume, the department will backdate eligible claims to the week of Jan. 2 to ensure claimants do not miss out on any eligible weeks.

You can read more at the Office of Unemployment Compensation website.