I'm in a very similar situation right now - just had my hearing last week and my former employer brought their HR director AND a lawyer! I felt so intimidated but tried to stay focused on the facts. Like others have said, the referee seemed fair and made sure I had a chance to tell my side of the story. One thing that helped me prepare (even though I found out about it too late) was looking up PA unemployment law online. There are some good resources that explain what constitutes "willful misconduct" vs regular performance issues. From what I learned, employers have to prove you deliberately violated company policy or were repeatedly warned about specific issues. Since you mentioned you didn't get formal warnings, that's actually a good sign! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of us. The waiting is absolutely brutal but try to stay positive - it sounds like you have a solid case based on what you've shared.

I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally understand the anxiety you're feeling right now! The waiting period after the hearing is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're worried about paying bills. A few things that might help ease your mind: First, the fact that you didn't receive formal warnings before being terminated actually puts you in a pretty strong position. In PA, employers need to prove "willful misconduct" to disqualify someone from benefits, and performance issues without proper documentation rarely meet that threshold. Second, don't let the lawyer intimidate you - I've seen plenty of cases where employers bring legal representation but still lose because they simply don't have the facts on their side. The referee's job is to determine what actually happened, not who has the fancier presentation. While you're waiting for the decision, I'd recommend putting together a timeline of events leading up to your termination, including any conversations with supervisors, performance reviews (or lack thereof), and company policies that may be relevant. If you do need to appeal to the Board level, having everything organized will make the process much smoother. Stay strong - based on what you've shared, you have good grounds for your appeal. The system can be frustrating but don't give up!

One more consideration: If you do apply for UC benefits, be very clear and honest about your school schedule on your initial application. If you're found eligible and later UC discovers you didn't disclose your school attendance, it could result in an overpayment determination or worse. Make sure to report that you're in school and any restrictions it places on your availability when you file your biweekly claims as well.

I went through something very similar during my RN program! The key thing that helped me was getting my employer to put in writing that they were "unable to provide suitable work hours" rather than me "choosing to reduce hours for school." My manager wrote a letter stating that due to operational needs, they couldn't accommodate a modified schedule during my clinical period. I was approved for partial benefits for 6 weeks. Also, definitely look into your school's emergency assistance fund - mine had a small grant program specifically for students doing clinicals who faced income reduction. Good luck with your rotations!

I went through this exact scenario in 2023 and won my appeal, so there is hope! My employer also waited months to appeal (almost 4 months in my case) and tried to claim misconduct when I had been told it was a layoff. Here's what helped me win: 1) The termination letter stating "layoff" was my strongest piece of evidence - the referee kept asking the employer why their story changed 2) I organized everything chronologically and submitted it 5 days early as required 3) During the hearing, I stayed calm and factual, even when the employer made false claims 4) The referee was clearly suspicious of the employer's delay in appealing Regarding repayment - yes, if you lose you'll likely owe it all back, but as others mentioned, you can request payment plans. In my case, my benefits actually continued during the appeal process until the decision was made. The key is preparation. Print everything, organize it by date, and practice explaining your side clearly and concisely. Your situation with the contradictory termination letter and documented medical absences sounds much stronger than mine was. Don't give up!

Your situation sounds very promising based on what you've shared! The fact that your employer gave you a termination letter stating "layoff/position eliminated due to restructuring" but is now claiming misconduct is a major red flag that will work strongly in your favor. This kind of contradiction is exactly what referees look for when determining credibility. A few additional tips for your hearing: - Have your termination letter ready as your primary evidence - this directly contradicts their appeal - Organize your medical absence documentation chronologically with supervisor approval emails - Prepare a brief timeline: when you were hired, your attendance record, the approved medical absences, and the layoff date - Practice explaining why you believed in good faith you were laid off (you have documentation proving it!) Regarding benefits during appeal - they typically continue until a decision is made, but you should receive a notice about this. The 3+ month delay before their appeal actually strengthens your case significantly. Referees often question why an employer would wait so long if the misconduct was serious enough to warrant termination. You've got solid documentation and their story doesn't add up. Stay calm, stick to the facts, and let their contradictions speak for themselves. You've got this!

To summarize what everyone's saying: 1. Final monetary determination just establishes your eligibility and benefit amount 2. Switching payment methods typically causes a 7-10 day processing delay 3. Your "payment in process" status means money is coming, likely in 2-3 business days 4. After the first direct deposit, future payments should be more predictable The PA UC system doesn't communicate these details well, but it sounds like you're on track to receive your payment soon. If it doesn't arrive by Monday, then you'll need to contact them directly.

That's awesome news @Fatima Al-Rashid! So glad your payment came through! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - this is a perfect example of how the PA UC system works. The "payment in process" status really is reliable, it just takes a few days. Save yourself the stress of calling dozens of times if you see that status - just give it the 2-3 business days like everyone mentioned here.

glad u asked this i was wondering the same thing!!

Just want to add that if you're planning to file taxes early, don't forget that employers have until January 31st to send W-2s and unemployment offices have the same deadline for 1099-G forms. I learned this the hard way when I tried to file in mid-January last year and had to wait for my unemployment form. Also, if you moved during 2024 while on UC, double-check that your address is current in the system - I've heard of people not getting their forms because of outdated addresses.