The Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.

State updates UC claimants with information for filing 2021 tax returns

WILKES-BARRE — Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier this week provided some additional guidance to Pennsylvanians who claimed unemployment compensation (UC) benefits in 2021 and are preparing to file their tax return using the 1099-G tax form.

Department guidance is also available for individuals who suspect they are the victim of identity theft after unexpectedly receiving a 1099-G form.

While L&I mailed all 1099-G forms to claimants in January, access to 1099-G forms is also available to claimants via dashboards for traditional UC and for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

“The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to supporting UC claimants through every step of the process – especially new claimants who are unfamiliar with the system,: Berrier said. “During the annual tax season, this commitment extends to helping UC claimants correctly file their tax returns with the 1099-G form that the IRS requires from anyone who claimed UC benefits in the previous year. We appreciate all of our partners who help us get the word out about these forms each year, and I encourage anyone with questions to visit our website for more information.”

The department has an extensive FAQ about 1099-G forms on its website to help claimants and other individuals with questions.

Key points for claimants to follow:

• Claimants who suspect their 1099-G form includes an incorrect amount in “Total Payment” or “Tax Withheld” should first check the math.

• For traditional UC, find payment information on the UC dashboard. If the math is wrong, contact the UC service center. An updated 1099-G form will be issued to you.

• For PUA, to check the math, file an inquiry form online. Upon recalculation, a new form will be issued to you if the original form was incorrect.

• Claimants who received both traditional UC benefits and PUA in 2021 should expect to receive two 1099-G forms – one for each program.

• Claimants may notice that the physical 1099-G form looks different than the version on their dashboard. The mailed version is simplified, but both versions contain the information claimants need to file their tax return.

L&I assists claimants with 1099-G forms as much as possible, but some questions – such as how to make adjustments after a return has been filed — must be referred to the IRS. Claimants with these questions should contact the IRS at 899-829-1040.

Received a 1099-G but never filed for benefits?

Because 1099-G forms are automatically generated for all claimants who received unemployment compensation payments, the receipt of a 1099-G form by a person who didn’t file for unemployment may indicate a case of identity theft.

If you suspect you are the victim of identity theft involving UC fraud, please report it to L&I.

Victims of identity theft should not wait to file their tax return. Only include true income – not the fraudulent income on the 1099-G form.

Report fraud

If you suspect or know that someone is using your personal information (your name, Social Security number, date of birth, etc.) without your knowledge or consent to file for UC benefits, report it to L&I by completing the Identity Theft Form online or calling the Pa Fraud Hotline at — 1-800-692-7469.

Toomey, Manchin seek to protect students from sexual misconduct

U.S. Senators Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, and Joe Manchin , D-West Virginia, this week wrote Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting answers regarding states’ failure to institute polices that protect students from educators who engage in sexual misconduct.

For years, the senators said academic institutions across the country have engaged in a practice called “passing the trash,” which enables educators to resign rather than face discipline for sexual misconduct towards a student. This enables the educator to seek other educational jobs and continue the practice of assaulting students, the senators said.

Under Section 8546 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) — which Toomey and Manchin originally introduced — the Department of Education requires all states receiving federal education funding to enact policies, laws, or regulations to stop the practice of “passing the trash.” Despite this statutory requirement, three-quarters of all states have not enacted legislation yet continue to receive federal funding.

“When parents send their children to school, they expect them to be safe,” wrote Toomey and Manchin. “However, this is not always the case. A study published by the department estimated around 10 percent of students experience sexual misconduct by a school employee. Even more concerning are the attempts by school administrators to cover the abuse up.”

“This violation of the law must be addressed by the Department of Education immediately,” Toomey and Manchin continued. “We urge the Department of Education to take immediate steps to ensure that all policies to protect children are enforced, including the ESEA’s prohibition on Aiding and Abetting Sexual Assault.”

Casey: Pa. to receive $25M for e-vehicle charging

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, this week (D-PA) announced that as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pennsylvania is set to receive $25 million to expand access to electric vehicle charging as part of the first-ever national electric vehicle charging network.

Casey said building out the network is a key step to make electric vehicles more accessible to all Pennsylvanians and Americans. The $25 million for FY22 is the first installment of an anticipated total of $171 million for EV charging in Pennsylvania as a result of the infrastructure law.

“One of our most important goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is to tackle the climate crisis by prioritizing electric and clean energy. Creating an electric vehicle charging network in Pennsylvania and across the Nation does just that,” Casey said. “Thanks to the infrastructure law, we will receive $25 million this year alone to make electric vehicle charging more accessible throughout the Commonwealth.”

Casey said money will flow through PennDOT, which is required to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan to access the funds.

A second round of grant funding designed to further increase EV charging access will be made available for states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations and other transit-focused public authorities to compete for in the coming months.

These competitive awards will provide additional funds to communities to build out their EV infrastructure.

Pa. Congressional Delegation supports Wolf recovery plan

This week, nine members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation showed their support for Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to drive Pennsylvania’s stockpiled federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars out to Pennsylvanians in need.

Last week, Wolf announced a $1.7 billion plan to help Pennsylvania recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting families, workers and small businesses.

“Pennsylvanians are hurting right now, and we have the resources to do something about it,” said Wolf. “As elected leaders in this commonwealth, it is our duty to use the resources we have been given to help people who are struggling. Our federal leaders gave us this money to help the people of Pennsylvania, and we need to get this money out to the people it was intended to help, right now.”

U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans, Mike Doyle, Chrissy Houlahan, Susan Wild, Madeleine Dean, Matt Cartwright, Mary Gay Scanlon, Conor Lamb and Brendan Boyle wrote a letter to Wolf and the leaders of the General Assembly on Monday supporting the governor’s plan, saying, in part:

“The plan put forth on Feb. 2 by Wolf and Democratic legislative leaders is a good example and model for what Pennsylvania can do to deliver much-needed relief to individuals, families and small businesses who need help now, not next year or even later. The people need help now — that’s what we voted for in Congress. The people need their state government to act as a good partner with the federal government and deliver the bulk of the remaining American Rescue Plan dollars now.”

Wolf’s plan calls for investments to help support workers and families right now, while laying the foundation for a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians:

• $500 million to create the Pa. Opportunity Program to provide relief to workers and families from the high cost of childcare and household expenses and support opportunities to complete a degree, credential, or license to strengthen skills and increase income—all leading to a better quality of life.

• $225 million to help 11,000 small businesses through the COVID Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. The grants will help small businesses to stabilize and reopen.

• $204 million to increase property tax relief through the existing Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

• $325 million to support health care workers in Pennsylvania.

• $450 million to invest in vital conservation, recreation, preservation, and community revitalization projects and address the threat of climate change.