Unemployment Compensation Program

The Unemployment Compensation Program and the Salary/Wage Pass-Through Invoicing Program is administered through the financial services area of Cooperative Extension, 323 Ag. Administration Building. The unemployment compensation program participation rate is 1%.

The following employees should be enrolled in the program:

• Full-time educators paid by the University on county pass-through funds or by local checking accounts
• Part-time employees (wage payroll) paid by the University on county pass-through funds or by local checking accounts
• Full or part-time non-educator staff (program assistants, office staff, etc.) paid by local checking accounts
• Full or part-time employees paid by the University on grant/contract funds that do not pay overhead
• Full or part-time employees paid by the University as backfill for agents participating in grant activities
• Summer assistants paid by local checking accounts or by the University on county pass-through funds
• Interns paid by local checking accounts or by the University on county pass-through funds.

The following employees should not be enrolled in the program:

• Work study students
• Personnel paid directly by county government
• Independent contractors (refer to IRS publication 937 to determine whether an individual should be treated as an employee or independent contractor).

At the beginning of each calendar year and as new employees are hired, an enrollment form must be completed for employees who are paid from local checking accounts. Earnings for the quarter and the 1% program participation fee should be entered on the enrollment form. Once employees have been enrolled in the program for the calendar year, an enrollment form will not be needed for subsequent quarters unless the earning change or the individual terminates. Individuals who are on the University payroll will not need to be enrolled via the enrollment form. This data will be compiled from University payroll records. Completed forms and payments should be sent to Kim McClelland, 323 Ag. Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802.

Unemployment Compensation Claims

Unemployment compensation claims for individuals receiving a Penn State check will be applied directly to the unemployment compensation pool of funds after their enrollment in the program is verified.  If the employee was not enrolled in the program, the claim will be applied to the source of funds supporting the wage or salary of the employee when they were employed. 

When unemployment compensation claims are received for individuals paid locally, the claim should also be paid locally.  If the claim was for an individual who was enrolled in the Unemployment Compensation Program, a completed “Request for Reimbursement Form” with a copy of the approved expenditure voucher and claim payment notice should be mailed to Sandra Gentzel, 323 Ag Administration University, University Park PA  16802.  After the individual’s enrollment in the Unemployment Compensation Program is verified, a claim reimbursement check will be issued.