Pennsylvania – Due to the expiration of a four-year funding stream to the Unemployment Compensation (UC) program, hundreds of state workers were laid off leaving many state unemployment call centers severely understaffed. Before layoffs, the average wait time to call the UC service center was just under ten minutes. Now wait times are averaging upwards of 3 hours leaving many laid off workers frustrated and anxious for assistance while discussions on funding to the UC program are at a standstill.