New PA unemployment compensation computer system just weeks away Delays in the processing of unemployment claims have long frustrated Pennsylvanians. Share Updated: 6:56 PM EDT May 10, 2021 Delays in the processing of unemployment claims have long frustrated Pennsylvanians. Share Updated: 6:56 PM EDT May 10, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript REPORTER: DELAYS HAVE FRUSTRATED PENNSYLVANIANS. IT’S BEEN WORSE BECAUSE JOB LOSSES FURTHER STRAINED THE 40-YEAR-OLD COMPUTER SYSTEM. WE ARE TOLD THERE IS ASSURANCE NERVOUS ABOUT THE SWITCH TO THE NEW SYSTEM. >> I NO CHANGE CAN BE DIFFICULT. IN THE CASE OF OUR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT SYSTEM, CHANGE IS FOR THE BEST. THIS NEW SYSTEM WILL BE EASIER FOR EVERYONE TO USE. REPORTER: THE SYSTEM WILL BE OFF-LINE SEVERAL DAYS FROM MAY 30-JUNE 7. IT WILL BE LIVE ONLINE ON JUNE 8 AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO FILE BEFORE OR AFTER THE DOWNTIME. >> IT WILL BE FASTER AND IT WILL ALLOW US TO GET PAYMENTS INTO THE HANDS OF ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS MORE QUICKLY. REPORTER: WE HAVE REPORTED ON HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY YEARS OF DELAY AND UPDATING THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEMS. >> IT’S VERY FRUSTRATING. REPORTER: YOU NEED HELP? >> YES I DO. >> THIS MODERNIZATION PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 15 YEARS GOOD WE ARE IN LITIGATION WITH OUR FORMER VENDOR OVER THIS IN WHICH WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MODERNIZE. REPORTER: THEY WILL KEEP PHONES AND EMAIL OPEN DURING THE DOWNTIME. THE STATE PREDICTS ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF CLAIMS WILL BE AFFECTED WHEN NO CLAIMS WILL BE PROCESSED. >> WE ARE READY. WE CANNOT DELAY ANY FURTHER. WE NEED EFFICIENCIES, WE NEED THE INTUITIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM.