While 24 other states have taken Executive Action to phase-out the additional federal unemployment benefits, Pennsylvania is having to go about it the old-fashioned way: legislatively.

On May 25, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Labor and Industry Committee acted on HB 508, which provides for the removal of disincentives to work and for the termination of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

The Back-to-Work Bonus Program provides for bonuses, bonus requirements, and an appropriation of $154 million from money received by the commonwealth under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It is anticipated that this legislation will come before the full House during the week of June 7-9, although Governor Wolf does not appear to be willing to sign the legislation, at this point.