Side by Side: The Impact of the UC Navigator Program

PLA’s Unemployment Compensation Navigator program helps workers secure unemployment benefits they are entitled to when they lose a job through no fault of their own, with a particular focus on supporting parents and caregivers. 

Originally launched through a pilot program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and now supported by the William Penn Foundation, the program places PLA staff directly in the community at CareerLink North in North Philadelphia. There, navigators meet workers face to face and provide one on one help with unemployment applications, weekly claim filings, claim issues, and appeals. For many workers, especially those raising children or with limited English proficiency, this kind of personal assistance can make the difference between receiving benefits or going without critical income during a stressful period of unemployment.

The program has already produced meaningful results for Philadelphia families. Between April and September 2025, PLA assisted 485 workers at CareerLink North and provided direct navigator support to 114 workers with children under the age of nine. This work helped families with young children secure at least $400,000 in unemployment benefits during that six-month period. The UC Navigator program helps families in our community stay financially stable while they look for their next opportunity. This makes all the difference in the lives of children in Philadelphia who require family stability to thrive.