I'm dealing with a similar sideline business issue right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I want to add - make sure you have documentation showing you're registered to work in Pennsylvania and that your business doesn't conflict with any licensing requirements in your main field. I also recommend bringing a written statement explaining how your Etsy shop actually demonstrates your work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, but that full-time employment in your regular field remains your primary goal. The referee wants to see that you're genuinely seeking work and that your side business won't interfere with that. Also, if you have any correspondence with potential employers or interviews scheduled, bring that as additional proof of your active job search. Good luck Marina - sounds like you have a strong case!

I successfully appealed a very similar sideline business denial last year! Here's what made the difference in my case: I created a simple spreadsheet comparing my regular job income vs. side business income over the past 2 years - this visual really drove home how minimal the side income was. I also printed screenshots from my state's job search website showing all my applications since becoming unemployed, with timestamps proving I was spending way more time job hunting than on my business. During the hearing, I made sure to mention specific examples of how I'd adjusted my business schedule around job interviews (like declining custom orders when I had interviews scheduled). The referee seemed most concerned about whether I would turn down a good job offer to focus on my business, so I directly addressed that by explaining my business was more of a creative outlet that I could easily scale back or pause entirely for the right full-time opportunity. You sound like you have an even stronger case than I did - $2,900 annual income and only 5 hours per week is clearly supplemental, not primary employment!

One more important tip: if they say they can't backdate your claim during the appointment, ask them to document in their notes that you requested backdating and provide you with information about the appeal process. Sometimes the frontline staff can't approve certain things, but you can appeal the decision and often win. Also, many people don't realize that PA UC has a "Request for Backdating" form (UC-496) that you can fill out. While it's better to handle this in person at your appointment, having this form with you as backup isn't a bad idea. You can download it from the PA UC website under Forms.

Best of luck with your appointment! You're definitely going in well-prepared. One thing that helped me was arriving about 15 minutes early and using that time to organize all my documents in the order I planned to present them. Also, if you run into any issues after your appointment or need to follow up, don't hesitate to reach out here - this community has been super helpful for navigating the PA UC maze. Fingers crossed they get your backdating sorted out quickly!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Got hit with a $980 non-fault overpayment last month because they "recalculated" my part-time work earnings from way back in November. They've been reducing my weekly benefits from $380 to $285, but I'm still getting those stupid payment coupons in the mail every few days. It's so confusing and stressful - like they want me to pay twice for the same thing! Reading everyone's responses here is actually really helpful though. Sounds like I need to call and ask specifically for an overpayment specialist to get this documented properly in their system. The whole PA UC system feels like it's held together with duct tape and prayers sometimes. Thanks for posting this question @Chloe Harris - at least now I know I'm not going crazy and this is a common issue with their automated systems!

This is such a common issue with PA UC's system! I went through something very similar about 6 months ago with a $1,100 non-fault overpayment. The automated system just keeps sending those payment coupons even when you're already set up for benefit reduction - it's like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. What worked for me was calling early in the morning (around 8:15 AM) right when they open and immediately asking to be transferred to an overpayment specialist. Don't waste time with general customer service - they often don't have the full picture. The specialist was able to confirm my benefit reduction was set up correctly and put a stop to the automatic coupon mailings. She also gave me a confirmation number for the conversation which was super helpful. Just to give you peace of mind - you're NOT supposed to pay both ways. It's either the benefit reduction OR the lump sum payment, not both. The system is just terrible at communicating this. Definitely get it documented in writing if possible. Good luck!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I filed my PA UC claim on July 12th and I'm now at exactly 4 weeks of waiting. Like everyone else, no open issues showing, weekly certifications filed religiously, and I've been doing my work search activities. Reading through all these responses has been both reassuring and nerve-wracking! It's good to know that July filers are supposedly in that 4-5 week processing window, and seeing Paolo's success story after 4 weeks gives me hope that maybe I'm close. I think what's most frustrating is the complete lack of communication - even just a simple "your claim is in queue, estimated processing time X weeks" would help so much with the anxiety. For anyone else waiting, I've found that setting up automatic bank account alerts helps me stop obsessively checking, and I'm planning to try that Claimyr service if I don't see movement by next week. We're all in this together!

I'm also dealing with this nightmare right now - filed July 25th so I'm coming up on 3 weeks. It's honestly a relief to find this thread because I was starting to think I was the only one stuck in limbo! The stress of waiting while bills pile up is unreal. I've been religiously filing my weekly certifications and doing all my work search activities, but like everyone else, zero communication from PA UC about what's actually happening. Based on all your experiences, it sounds like I should prepare for another 1-2 weeks of waiting. @Paolo Ricci your success story gives me hope that the payments do eventually come through with all the back pay! I'm definitely going to look into that Claimyr service if I don't see movement by next week. Thank you all for sharing your timelines and keeping each other sane through this process!

Update: I'm feeling much better about the hearing now! I've gathered my documentation (layoff email, performance reviews, etc.) and emailed them to the referee. I also found out two of my former coworkers already had successful appeals for the same reason, which gives me hope. Thanks everyone for the advice - will update after the hearing next week!

Best of luck with your hearing on Friday! You sound incredibly well-prepared now. The fact that you have the layoff email documentation AND two coworkers already won their appeals for the exact same situation really strengthens your case. Remember to stay calm, speak clearly, and don't let them rattle you if your employer does show up and tries to spin the story. The referee has heard it all before and knows how to spot inconsistencies. You've got this - keep us posted on how it goes!