Greensburg Unemployment Council offers help navigating benefit system

Navigating the state and federal benefit system can be confusing for those out of work, but the Greensburg Unemployed Council wants to help.

Council members are offering weekly help from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Pennsylvania Avenue Parklet. The community group wants to help people whose employment has been affected during the coronavirus pandemic, said member Tim Trout.

“So many people are losing their jobs,” he said.

The effort is an offshoot of the Pittsburgh Unemployed Council, which has been offering similar services in neighborhoods around Allegheny County. Trout said he was helping with that group when he thought families in the Greensburg area have the same type of needs.

The group met for the first time last week. Computer access and an internet hotspot is available at the Greensburg gatherings, allowing those who need help to fill out online applications, Trout said.

Millions of Pennsylvanians applied for unemployment assistance this year as state officials enacted restrictions on businesses that forced closures and layoffs. The state’s unemployment rate was 15.6% in April, up from 6% the month before. The rate dropped to 10.3% in August as restrictions were loosened during the summer, according to Department of Labor & Industry statistics.

In Westmoreland County, about 11,000 people remained out of work and 452 new claims were made during the week that ended Oct. 3, according to state data. Those figures are down from about 32,000 total claims during the week that ended April 25.

The state Department of Labor & Industry doubled its staff to address the increase in claims. Since March 15, about $29 billion in payments have been made for regular unemployment benefits and pandemic-related programs, according to the department.

Trout said help is available for residents to sign up for unemployment benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, rent and mortgage assistance and other social programs. The group hands out free food and water as well.

The group is looking for indoor space to continue its help. Anyone in need of help filling out or filing paperwork can visit the parklet on Thursdays, email gbguc@protonmail.com or check the council’s Facebook page.