HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry is encouraging more than 500,000 residents receiving payments through the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) to seek other forms of assistance.

The encouragement to seek other assistance comes after delays in legislation to extend both PUA and PEUC programs.

Under the current CARES Act, both programs will stop at the end of the month and those utilizing the programs will not receive payments after the week ending December 26.

The U.S. Department of Labor can't issue guidance for the program extensions until the changes to the CARES Act programs are signed into law.

"Pennsylvanians receiving PUA or PEUC payments need to be aware that they will not be able to file a claim next week and should begin preparing now to seek the necessities they will need through other means," said L&I Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. "I urge current PUA and PEUC claimants to apply for additional assistance through programs outside of L&I as soon as possible to prevent their families from reaching an emergency or dangerous situation."

The Department of Labor and Industry says PUA and PEUC claimants should review the following resources to see if they are eligible and apply if qualified:

• ?Health insurance through Pennie
• Lifeline (telecommunications and broadband access)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicaid/Medical Assistance
• Meals for Senior Citizens/Meals on Wheels
• PA Food Banks and Pantries
• SNAP Benefits/Food Stamps