Hey Gemma! I just went through this exact same process about 8 weeks ago and I know how nerve-wracking the waiting is. In my case, it took 21 days to get the decision letter, which felt like an eternity! The referee in my hearing was also pretty thorough and neutral, asking detailed questions but not giving any hints about which way they were leaning. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can actually check your dashboard more frequently during this time - sometimes there are small status updates that appear before the official letter arrives. Also, definitely echo what others have said about continuing to file your weekly claims no matter what. I almost made the mistake of stopping because I figured it didn't matter while the appeal was pending, but thankfully someone warned me just like Mae did for you! When I finally got my favorable decision, the backpay processed within 3 business days automatically. The relief was incredible after all that stress. Try to stay positive - the fact that you felt the hearing went well and the referee was thorough are both good signs. Hang in there!

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Had my PA UC appeal hearing 5 days ago and the waiting is absolutely brutal. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful though - I had no idea about some of these tips like setting up USPS informed delivery or checking the dashboard more frequently for status updates. The one thing that's giving me hope is that pretty much everyone who felt their hearing went well ended up getting approved. My referee was also very thorough and professional, asking detailed questions but staying completely neutral. I was worried that all the questions meant something bad, but it sounds like that's totally normal. Definitely taking everyone's advice about continuing to file weekly claims - almost made that mistake myself! Also starting a detailed log of everything like some people suggested. The whole process is so stressful when you're already dealing with financial uncertainty, but at least we're not going through it alone. Fingers crossed we both get good news soon!

I went through something very similar about 6 months ago and completely understand the panic! I got that same type of "audit findings" letter and spent weeks convinced I was going to owe thousands. Turns out it was just them verifying that I had actually lost work due to COVID (which I had - my part-time restaurant job disappeared overnight in March 2020). The biggest thing that helped me was realizing that if PA UC thinks you have a legitimate overpayment, they will be CRYSTAL clear about it. The letter will literally say "NOTICE OF OVERPAYMENT DETERMINATION" at the top and include the exact dollar amount, which weeks it covers, and your repayment options. What you're describing sounds like the preliminary audit letter that lots of us got. One tip: if you're really worried, try calling the PUA hotline directly (not the regular UC line) since PUA cases are handled a bit differently. The wait times are still brutal, but at least you'll get someone who specializes in pandemic-era claims. Hang in there - most of these audits end up being nothing!

I just went through this exact same situation about 3 months ago and can totally relate to the anxiety! Got one of those vague audit letters and immediately assumed the worst. After reading through all these responses, I wish I had found this thread back then - would have saved me weeks of sleepless nights! What really helped me was keeping a simple log of everything - dates of letters received, what they said, any portal changes, etc. That way I could track if anything actually changed over time. In my case, I never got any follow-up after the initial audit letter, and my portal never showed any overpayment balance. The waiting is definitely the hardest part, but based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like you're probably in the clear. These mass audits seem to be more about them checking their own records than finding actual problems with individual claims. Just stay on top of checking your mail and portal regularly like others suggested!

I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress! As someone who works in payroll for a PA company, I see timesheet corrections all the time and honest mistakes like yours happen more often than you'd think. What your employer is calling "theft of time" is really just a clerical error, and that distinction matters hugely for UC purposes. The fact that you voluntarily submitted a correction form actually works strongly in your favor - someone with fraudulent intent wouldn't draw attention to their own timesheet discrepancy. Your 3-year clean record is going to be your biggest asset here. I'd recommend gathering: 1) All your performance reviews showing good attendance/conduct, 2) Any previous timesheet corrections you've made (especially if any reduced your hours), 3) Statements from coworkers who saw you working during that disputed time. PA UC looks at whether you had intent to defraud the company, not just whether you technically violated a policy. From what I see in payroll disputes, cases like yours where there's clear evidence it was accidental usually get approved, even if there's an initial denial. Don't let their scary "theft" language intimidate you - you were working, you made an honest mistake, and you have a solid work history to back that up.

I went through almost the exact same thing in Bucks County about 9 months ago! Got fired for "time theft" when I accidentally wrote 2:00 PM instead of 2:30 PM on a lunch break correction form. The company made it sound like I was committing grand larceny, but it was literally just a brain fog moment after working a 10-hour shift. Like you, I had years of clean work history (4 years, no write-ups). Here's what happened with my UC claim: Initially DENIED because the employer made it sound so dramatic in their response. But I appealed and WON because I could prove it was genuinely accidental. What saved me was showing that I had actually made timesheet corrections in the PAST that reduced my hours when I made mistakes - this proved I wasn't trying to scam extra pay. The hearing referee specifically asked my employer: "If this person was trying to steal time, why would they voluntarily submit a correction form that draws attention to their timesheet?" They had no good answer. Your case sounds even stronger than mine because you were actually working during that disputed time and have witnesses! Get those coworker statements ASAP. PA UC really does look at fraudulent INTENT, not just policy violations. Don't let their scary "theft" language psych you out - you've got solid evidence this was just human error.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I hit my 26-week limit last month and was also confused about the remaining balance. What helped me was actually going to my local CareerLink office in person rather than trying to call. The staff there were much more helpful and walked me through exactly what happens after benefits end. They also signed me up for some job training programs that I didn't even know existed. For immediate help with expenses, definitely apply for SNAP like others mentioned. I also found out about emergency assistance through my county's social services office - they helped with a utility bill when I was really struggling. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning off UC. The job market is tough right now but don't give up! I ended up finding something through a temp agency that turned into a permanent position. It's not exactly what I was doing before, but it's keeping me afloat while I figure out my next move. Hang in there - you're not alone in this!

I just wanted to jump in with some encouragement - I was in your exact shoes about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels when you're approaching that 26-week cliff. The stress is real! A few things that helped me through that transition: 1. Don't wait until your last week to start applying for other assistance programs. I wish I had applied for SNAP and looked into emergency rental assistance sooner rather than waiting until I was completely panicked. 2. Check if your local library has career services - mine offered free resume reviews and even had computers set up specifically for job searching. Some also have partnerships with employment agencies. 3. Consider gig work as a bridge - I did DoorDash and Instacart for a few weeks which wasn't great money but it kept some cash flowing while I job hunted. Just make sure to report any earnings if you're still claiming UC. The whole "leftover balance" thing drove me crazy too, but everyone here is right - that money was never really guaranteed to you, it was just the maximum possible benefit. Still frustrating though! You'll get through this. The fact that you're asking questions and planning ahead shows you're being smart about it. Good luck with your job search!

This is such a frustrating but unfortunately common issue! I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago - had over $900 showing online but couldn't use the card anywhere. After reading through all these helpful comments, I can confirm that calling Money Network directly at 1-888-233-5916 is definitely the way to go instead of trying to deal with PA UC. In my case, it turned out to be a "dormancy hold" because I hadn't used the card for retail purchases in over 4 months (only ATM withdrawals). What's really annoying is that their system treats ATM and retail transactions completely differently for security purposes, but they never explain this anywhere in their materials. One additional tip I'd share: if you do get it resolved, ask them to set up text alerts for your account. That way you'll get notifications if any holds or restrictions get placed on your card in the future. It's saved me from discovering problems when I'm trying to buy groceries! Really glad to see this community helping each other navigate these unnecessarily complicated systems. The fact that we all have to become experts on Money Network's hidden policies just to access our benefits is ridiculous, but at least we can help each other out!

This thread is incredibly valuable! I've been having intermittent issues with my Money Network card for weeks and couldn't figure out what was causing it. Sometimes it works perfectly, other times it gets declined for no apparent reason. Based on all these experiences, it sounds like there are so many different types of holds and restrictions that can randomly get triggered. I'm definitely going to call Money Network directly next time instead of wasting hours with the PA UC system. The tips about asking specifically about security holds, PIN locks, merchant restrictions, and geographic limitations are going to save me so much time and frustration. One question - has anyone had issues with the card working at some stores but not others, even on the same day? I'm wondering if certain retailers trigger different security checks or if it's related to those merchant category codes people mentioned. Would love to understand if there's a pattern to avoid getting stuck in checkout lines with a declined card! Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions. This is exactly the kind of real-world information that you can't get from any official documentation!