Just wanted to add some reassurance here - I went through a similar appeal process in PA last fall for a wrongful "voluntary quit" determination when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The whole process took about 5 weeks from acknowledgment letter to hearing, and another week for the decision. A few things that helped me: 1) I created a simple timeline document with dates and what happened each day leading up to my layoff, 2) I gathered every email, text, or document that mentioned the layoffs or department changes, and 3) I practiced explaining my situation clearly and concisely before the hearing. The hearing itself was less scary than I expected - the referee was professional and just wanted to understand what really happened. Having solid documentation made all the difference. I won my appeal and received all back payments within 10 days of the decision. Keep filing those weekly claims no matter what! And try to stay patient - I know it's incredibly stressful waiting without income, but the process does work when you have legitimate grounds for appeal like you clearly do.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got my acknowledgment letter last week after appealing a "voluntary quit" decision when I was actually laid off due to company downsizing. It's so frustrating when they get the basic facts wrong. Reading through everyone's responses here is really helpful - sounds like I should expect 4-6 weeks for a hearing date and definitely keep filing weekly claims. I've been hesitating on the weekly filings since they keep getting denied, but now I understand I need to keep doing them to preserve my eligibility for back pay. One question for those who've been through this - did anyone have issues with their former employer disputing the appeal or providing false information to UC? My old company has been pretty unresponsive about providing documentation to support my case, and I'm worried they might actually fight the appeal even though they know I was laid off. The financial stress while waiting is real though. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines and experiences - it helps to know this process actually works when you have legitimate grounds like we do.

You've been so helpful, thank you! I'm going to start a job search log right away. I'll also check our employee handbook - pretty sure they have a 3-strike policy they completely ignored in my case. Hopefully that helps my claim!

I'm so sorry you're going through this! The same thing happened to my brother last year - suddenly fired for "performance issues" after 5+ years and consistently good reviews. It's like they keep you thinking everything is fine then blindside you. From what I've learned lurking here, having those positive reviews is HUGE for your case. Screenshot/save every email, review, or text that shows you were doing well. Even casual "good job" messages from your boss can help. One thing that really helped my brother was writing down EVERYTHING he could remember about the termination call while it was still fresh - exact words used, who was on the call, time, etc. The details matter if it goes to a hearing. You've got this! The system is designed to help people who get wrongfully denied benefits. Just be patient with the process and keep detailed records of everything.

One more important thing to remember: PA UC is required to consider all available evidence, but they also understand that not everything can be documented. The referee's job is to determine the facts based on credibility and preponderance of evidence. Since your hearing is next week, you should prepare a brief statement explaining the situation in clear terms. Practice saying it out loud a few times so you don't ramble during the hearing. Be specific about dates, names, and details even if you don't have documentation for everything. If the restaurant manager is unwilling to provide a statement, you might also consider if there's anyone else who knew about your job offer - perhaps a friend or family member you told about it at the time? While not as strong as employer confirmation, it can help establish that you were consistent about the job offer at the time it happened.

I had a similar situation with a verbal job offer during my appeal last year. Here's what I learned: PA UC referees vary widely in how thoroughly they investigate, but having ANY supporting evidence helps tremendously. Your text messages about scheduling are actually really strong evidence - they show the employer was treating you as a hired employee by discussing your work schedule. One thing that helped me was creating a simple one-page summary with bullet points of what happened, including exact dates and the manager's name. Even though my offer was also verbal, having those specific details written out clearly made me seem more credible during the hearing. Also, don't stress too much about them calling the restaurant. Even if they do, employers usually just confirm basic facts like "yes, we made an offer" and "yes, we had to rescind it due to circumstances." Most restaurants right now are dealing with staffing issues from the recent outbreak, so they're likely to be straightforward about having to cancel new hires. Good luck with your hearing - sounds like you're preparing well!

Any update on your situation? Did you file the appeal yet? And were you able to get through to someone at the service center to get more details about the denial reason?

That vacation time issue explains a lot! I had a similar problem when I got laid off - HR processed my final day wrong in their system and it looked like I quit. Make sure you keep copies of everything you submit for your records. Also, just a heads up that the hearing referee might ask about your job search efforts during those first 6 weeks even though you weren't getting paid, so have those records ready too. Sounds like you caught this early enough that it should get resolved quickly once you have your hearing. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I called off work for the whole morning just to be safe. One more question - will I find out the decision right after the hearing ends or do I have to wait?

Just wanted to add - if you're feeling anxious about representing yourself, remember that the referee is neutral and actually wants to help get to the truth. They're not there to intimidate you. I was super nervous before my hearing but the referee was patient and explained things clearly. They'll make sure you understand the questions and give you chances to clarify your answers. The most important thing is to be honest and stick to the facts about what happened when you were separated from your job. Having those texts from your supervisor about your position being eliminated should definitely work in your favor!