Second update: Got my financial determination letter today! They approved me for partial benefits. My weekly benefit rate is $320, which means I can earn up to $96 (that 30% partial benefit credit thing someone mentioned) before they start reducing my benefit amount. With my current 20-hour schedule, I should get about $150 in UC benefits each week in addition to my reduced paycheck. I'm still doing the work search requirements even though it feels weird. Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions!

Glad to hear your partial benefits got approved! That's a relief when you're dealing with such a significant hour reduction. One thing I'd add for anyone else reading this - if your employer tries to contest your claim (like saying you voluntarily reduced hours), don't panic. PA unemployment will investigate and you'll have a chance to provide your side of the story. Keep any emails, texts, or written notices about the hour reduction as evidence. Also, if you're union, definitely reach out to your rep - they can sometimes help with the documentation process or even challenge the employer's decision to cut hours in the first place.

UPDATE: Just got back from my hearing and I WON!!! The employer did show up, but they had ZERO documentation of any unprofessional behavior. The referee kept asking them for specific incidents with dates and they couldn't provide anything concrete. When I showed my termination paper with "no reason given" plus my recent positive performance review, the referee seemed really convinced. She even commented on how unusual it was to pay someone for days not worked if misconduct was involved. Thank you all SO MUCH for your advice - it truly made all the difference! Now I'm just wondering how long until I actually see payments? The referee said I should receive a written decision within 10-14 days, but didn't say when payments would start.

Congratulations Michael! That's fantastic news! 🎉 Your case is a perfect example of why it's so important to appeal these bogus denials. Regarding payment timing - in PA, once you receive the favorable written decision, payments typically start within 1-2 weeks. Since you've been filing your weekly claims during the appeal (great job listening to that advice!), you should receive retroactive payments back to your original claim date. Just make sure to keep filing your weekly claims until you see the payments hit your account. Sometimes there can be a brief processing delay even after the decision is issued. Your victory gives me hope for others facing similar situations. Employers really can't just make up misconduct after the fact without documentation - the system does work when you come prepared with evidence like you did!

I mailed mine with certified mail so I had proof of delivery. I don't think there's a way to submit it electronically, unfortunately. Make sure to make copies of EVERYTHING you send them. And write your claim number on every page!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! My advice is to submit the UC-53 form right away, but also keep detailed records of when you submit it. I had to follow up twice because they "lost" my first submission. One thing that really helped me was creating a timeline document showing exactly when I worked at the missing employer and what quarters those wages should count toward. I included the employer's name, address, and EIN number from my W-2. The UC office told me having all that info upfront made their investigation much faster. Also, don't worry about them stopping your current payments - they legally have to continue paying your approved amount while they investigate. Good luck!

Update us after you file the appeal on how long it takes to get a hearing date. In 2024 they've been scheduling them faster than last year - my friend just had her appeal hearing scheduled only 10 days after filing. Much better than the 4-6 week waits people were experiencing in 2023.

Don't panic - you have a strong case! A 70% reduction in hours (40 to 12) absolutely constitutes good cause for quitting in PA. I work as a paralegal and see these cases regularly. Here's what you need to know: File your appeal TODAY online through your UC dashboard. Don't wait! The 15-day deadline is firm and there's no extension. For the appeal form, keep it brief: "I disagree with the determination because the substantial reduction in my work hours from 40 to 12 per week created a necessitous and compelling reason to leave employment." Start organizing your evidence NOW: - Pay stubs showing your regular 40-hour weeks before the cut - The new schedule showing 12 hours - Your resignation email mentioning the hours as the reason - Any communications with your employer about the reduction - Documentation of your attempts to find alternatives (like that 90-mile position they offered) The hearing will likely be by phone within 2-3 weeks. During the hearing, emphasize that you tried to work with your employer before quitting and that the income reduction made the job financially unsustainable. You've got this! The key is being prepared and professional during the hearing.

Quick update for anyone dealing with the IDme verification loop: PA UC just posted a notice about this issue on their website yesterday. They're aware of the problem and working on a fix. In the meantime, they recommend: 1. Clear your browser cache completely 2. Wait at least 24 hours between verification attempts 3. Make sure your name/DOB on IDme exactly matches what's in UC records 4. Try using the mobile app instead of the website They've also temporarily added staff to handle these specific technical issues. The special technical support line is 888-313-7284, but it's only open from 8am-11am on weekdays.

UPDATE: I finally got through! For anyone else dealing with this issue, here's what worked for me: I used that special technical support line that @helpful_person mentioned at exactly 8:01am, and only had to wait about 20 minutes. The rep was able to see that my IDme verification HAD actually gone through but wasn't properly linked to my UC account. She manually fixed it on her end and I was able to file for my back weeks right after. They're going to be in "pending" status for a few days while they review, but at least I'm back in the system now. Such a relief! Thanks everyone for your help!