Update for anyone who finds this thread later: The money just hit my Money Network card today! Now I need to transfer it to my Chime account. Thanks everyone for your help!

Welcome to the community! I'm also dealing with PA UC payments and banking transfers. Just wanted to add that if you're having trouble accessing your Money Network card online or by phone, you can also check the balance at most ATMs for free. Also, when you do set up the direct deposit to Chime for future payments, double-check that your routing and account numbers are entered correctly - I've seen people have delays because of typos in their banking info. The direct deposit option definitely makes things smoother once it's set up properly!

One final piece of advice: Be concise and stick to relevant facts during the hearing. Appeals referees handle many cases daily and appreciate when claimants stay focused. Don't badmouth your former employer or make emotional arguments - stick to the facts about your separation. Regarding overpayments - if you do receive one after losing the appeal, remember you can request a waiver if repayment would cause financial hardship. Don't ignore the notices if that happens, as that can lead to additional penalties. Wishing you the best of luck with your hearing!

I'm going through something similar right now - just got my appeal notice yesterday after waiting 11 weeks for approval. It's terrifying thinking about potentially having to pay back thousands. One thing I learned from calling the UC office is that you can actually request to see your employer's written statement that prompted the appeal. They have to provide their reasoning and any evidence within a certain timeframe. Also, if you do end up losing (which hopefully you won't!), the overpayment notice usually comes with options for payment plans that can be as low as $25/month depending on your financial situation. Hang in there - the fact that you won initially is a good sign that your case has merit.

update?? did u ever get this fixed? im having the same issue now and worried

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now! Been stuck in that work history loop for 4 days and it's driving me crazy. The system just won't save anything I enter. I saw you mentioned Claimyr - is that a legitimate service? I'm hesitant to use third-party services for unemployment stuff but I'm getting desperate. Also wondering if anyone knows roughly how much they charge? At this point I'd rather pay something than waste more days trying to get through on my own.

When I was on unemployment in 2022 they took money from my PA benefits to repay an old overpayment from like 5 years ago. I just ignored it on my taxes and nothing happened. The IRS has bigger fish to fry than chasing down unemployment repayments lol. But that's just me, maybe do it right if you're worried.

Update: I ended up calling Virginia's unemployment office (took forever to get through) and they explained that the 1099-G they sent actually confirms the repayment amount. The agent walked me through which boxes on the form indicate repayment vs. new benefits. I was able to use this info with the "claim of right" provision in TurboTax like several of you suggested. Thanks everyone for the help! For anyone else facing this situation, definitely get documentation from both states involved before filing your taxes.

I just went through this whole process and got my decision yesterday (I won!). One thing nobody mentioned - at the start of the hearing, the referee will ask if you received the hearing packet and if you have any additional evidence to submit. If you have those emails about restructuring and budget cuts, tell the referee you want to submit them at this time. Also, when I used Claimyr to reach someone at UC before my hearing, they were actually able to explain exactly what to expect and gave me some tips specific to my case. Definitely worth calling to ask questions beforehand if you're nervous. Good luck! The waiting for the decision was the hardest part for me.

I'm going through something similar right now - my employer is also claiming misconduct when I know I was laid off due to budget cuts. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! A few things I've learned from my research that might help you: 1. Pennsylvania considers it misconduct only if it was "willful" - meaning you deliberately violated company policy knowing it could lead to termination. Being laid off for lack of work doesn't meet this standard. 2. Keep your answers short and factual during the hearing. The referee will ask specific questions, so don't feel like you need to tell your whole story at once. 3. If your employer mentions any attendance issues like in your packet, be ready to explain which absences were approved/excused vs. unexcused. Documentation helps a lot here. 4. I've heard that having a coworker who was also laid off testify can be really powerful evidence that it was truly a reduction in force. The fact that you have emails about restructuring and budget cuts sounds like strong evidence in your favor. Make sure to mention these right at the beginning when the referee asks about additional evidence. You've got this! The preparation you're doing now will make all the difference.