This information was last updated on Thursday June 18, 2020
For legal assistance with paid leave, unsafe work conditions, clearing criminal records, and other job-related issues, please contact CLS at 215-981-3700.
For legal assistance with unemployment compensation, please contact PA at 215-981-3800 9:30am – noon Monday through Thursday or online any time at https://philalegal.org/apply.
Courts are mostly closed through at least July 6.
All Pennsylvania courts are closed for most functions until at least July 6. . This includes both Philadelphia Municipal Court and the Court of Common Pleas. See the Courts page for more information
Assistance is Available for People who have lost income.
Are you a worker who lost a job, have kids or are pregnant, and have little to no income? Are you waiting for UC/PUA? You can apply for this emergency cash grant. But don’t wait – the program will close on July 12th or when the funds run out!
If you have experienced a loss or reduction in income due to the COVID-19 crisis, you might qualify for discounted gas, water or electric bills. You will need to provide proof of income for the past 30 days. You may be required to provide a letter from your employer or other records that prove your loss of income.
Energy assistance from PECO (electric)
Energy assistance from PGW (gas)
Energy assistance from Philadelphia Water
Know Your Rights as a Worker!
For information about your rights to a safe, healthy return to work as businesses re-open, see the Return to Work FAQ.
If you are worried about staying safe from COVID-19 at work, check out this flyer about workers’ health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.
Most workers in Philadelphia are entitled to sick leave, including workers who are quarantined, whose workplaces have closed, or whose children’s schools have closed due to coronavirus. Learn more about whether you are entitled to sick leave here.
Find out more about your right to sick leave related to COVID-19 here.
Immigrants have a right to a safe and healthy workplace, sick leave and unemployment compensation! Find out more about the rights of immigrant workers here.
If your workplace has closed or you can no longer work due to COVID-19, you are eligible to collect unemployment compensation.
If your workplace has closed or you can no longer work due to the statewide shutdown of non-essential business, you are eligible to collect unemployment compensation.The fastest way to apply for Unemployment Compensation is online at www.uc.pa.gov.
Gig workers and independent contractors who are out of work due to COVID-19 are eligible for unemployment compensation and other assistance. Click here for more information on assistance for gig workers and independent contractors.
Philadelphia Legal Assistance has lots of useful information about applying for unemployment compensation in Pennsylvania and how it as affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
