Just a tip for future reference - try to budget assuming your payment will arrive 2-3 business days after the pay date shows in the system. That way you'll have some buffer for rent and other bills. The PA UC payment system is reliable but not particularly fast. Also, make sure you're completing your work search activities each week (applying to jobs, attending workshops, etc.) and documenting them properly. They can hold up payments if they audit your work search and find issues.

I've been on PA UC for about 8 months and here's what I've learned about timing: if your pay date shows on a weekend, the actual processing happens on the next business day. With Citizens Bank specifically, I usually see deposits around 2-3 PM on Mondays when the pay date was Saturday. Since tomorrow is Sunday, you're looking at Monday for processing and most likely Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning for the money to hit your account. For future reference, I always tell my landlord that UC payments might be 1-2 days after rent is "due" - most understand once you explain the government payment system. Hang in there!

Just wanted to add my experience from last Veterans Day - I bank with PNC and even though PA UC processed payments on Tuesday instead of Monday, my deposit still showed up Tuesday morning around 6 AM. So it might depend on your specific bank's policies for handling delayed ACH transfers. Worth checking with your bank to see if they release funds as soon as they receive them or wait for the official processing date. Either way, definitely safer to plan for Wednesday just in case!

I've been through this same situation multiple times and here's what I've learned: Yes, Veterans Day will almost certainly push your payment to Wednesday instead of Tuesday. The key thing is to file your weekly claim as early as possible (Sunday is best) to make sure you're first in line when they start processing on Tuesday. Also, if you have bills due around that time, consider calling your creditors/landlord ahead of time to let them know about the one-day delay. Most are understanding about government payment delays during holidays. I've found it's much better to give them a heads up rather than scramble to explain after the fact if something's late. One more tip - set up text alerts with your bank if you haven't already. That way you'll know the exact moment your deposit hits instead of constantly checking your account all day Tuesday/Wednesday!

UPDATE: I just got my hearing notice in the mail today!! It's scheduled for May 18th at 10:45am and will be by phone. That's about 3 weeks from when I got the first letter. Now I need to get all my evidence together. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!

That's awesome news about getting your hearing date! May 18th gives you plenty of time to prepare. Since it's a phone hearing, make sure you're in a quiet location with good reception and have all your documents organized in front of you where you can easily reference them. One additional tip - if you have any prescription records or pharmacy receipts that correspond to your illness dates, those can also help support your case. They show a pattern of medical treatment that backs up your doctor's notes. You've got this! The fact that you have documentation and proof of notifying your employer puts you in a much better position than many people who go into these hearings.

One last piece of advice - make a copy of your decision letter when it arrives and keep it forever. If PA UC ever tries to bring this up again (even years later), having that documentation will immediately shut it down. Also, if the decision is in your favor, check your UC account online after about 2-3 weeks to confirm the overpayment has been removed from your balance. Sometimes they're slow to update the system even after a favorable decision.

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! My employer was a no-show for my non-fault overpayment appeal and I was terrified about what it meant. The good news is that I won my case - the referee ruled that without the employer present to dispute my evidence, my documentation of being laid off due to restructuring was sufficient proof. The decision took about 12 days to arrive by mail, and like others mentioned, it came in a plain white envelope that could easily be mistaken for junk mail. Within 3 weeks of receiving the favorable decision, the overpayment was completely removed from my UC account online. Your layoff letter stating "lack of work" should be strong evidence in your favor, especially since your employer chose not to defend their position. Try not to stress too much while you wait - I know it's easier said than done! Keep checking your mailbox daily and your UC account online for any updates.

Update for anyone who finds this thread later: Finally got my hearing notice today - took exactly 4 weeks and 2 days from when I filed my appeal. The hearing is scheduled for phone, but I'm going to request in-person since I have a lot of documentation to present. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll post again after the hearing to let you know how it went.

Wow, congrats on getting your hearing date Fatima! That timeline matches what I experienced - about 4 weeks. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have a quiet, private space for your phone hearing if you decide to stick with that option. I made the mistake of taking mine in a coffee shop and the background noise was really distracting. Also, speak slowly and clearly - the referee needs to take notes on everything you say. If you do go in-person, arrive at least 15 minutes early to get familiar with the room setup. Rooting for you!