I just wanted to add something that might help - if you're getting close to exhausting your benefits, make sure you request your wage and benefit statement from PA UC online. This document shows exactly how your benefit year was calculated and confirms your maximum weeks available. Sometimes there can be small errors or additional quarters of wages that weren't initially counted that could give you a few extra weeks. Also, once your benefit year ends (which is different from exhausting your 26 weeks), you may be able to file a new claim if you've worked enough in recent quarters. The key is having sufficient wages in your new base period. It's worth checking with UC about this possibility, especially if you've done any part-time or gig work during your unemployment. Don't give up hope - I know several people who found jobs in their final weeks of benefits. Sometimes that deadline pressure actually helps motivate both you and potential employers to move faster in the hiring process.

I actually went through a wage calculation review last year and it did result in additional weeks! In my case, I had worked for a company that went out of business and initially PA UC couldn't verify those wages. After submitting my W-2 and pay stubs, they added about $3,200 in wages that increased my weekly benefit amount slightly and gave me 3 additional weeks. To explain the benefit year vs. weeks exhausted - your benefit year runs for 52 weeks from when you first filed your claim. You can receive a maximum of 26 weeks of benefits during that year. So if you filed your claim in January 2025, your benefit year runs until January 2026, but you'll exhaust your 26 weeks sometime around July 2025. After July, you can't collect more benefits until your benefit year ends in January 2026, at which point you could potentially file a new claim if you've earned enough wages. The wage calculation errors aren't super common, but they do happen - especially if you had multiple employers, worked for small businesses, or had any 1099 income that should have been W-2 income. It's definitely worth requesting that statement and reviewing it carefully. The worst they can say is no.

My cousin had the same problem last month and went to our state representative's office for help. Their staff actually has direct contacts with UC and helped him navigate some options. Maybe try reaching out to your local state rep?

Just one more suggestion - make sure you're setting up a strong work search plan through PA CareerLink. While you're waiting to become eligible again, their job placement services are actually pretty good. They also offer free training programs that might help you qualify for better jobs. In my experience working with clients, those who engage deeply with CareerLink services tend to find employment faster than those who don't.

I was in almost the exact same boat as you 4 months ago! Got terminated for "performance concerns" after 3 years with zero formal documentation. Just one casual conversation about project timelines, no written warnings, no PIP, nothing. I was approved for UC benefits with no issues at all. The thing that really sealed it for me was when PA UC asked my employer during the fact-finding interview to provide specific dates and documentation of performance discussions. They kept saying they had "ongoing conversations" about my work but couldn't produce a single email, write-up, or formal review documenting any problems. The UC interviewer told me afterwards that PA expects employers to follow progressive discipline procedures, and vague conversations don't count as proper warnings. My advice: File immediately and be completely factual in your application. State clearly that you received no written warnings or formal disciplinary action. If they contest it (which they probably will to protect their UC tax rate), just stick to the facts during your interview. The burden is on them to prove misconduct, and it sounds like they have zero documentation just like my employer did. You've got a really strong case based on what you've described. Don't let the fear of potential denial stop you from filing - you need to start the process to get benefits flowing. Good luck!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and got approved! Was let go for "not meeting performance standards" after almost 4 years with zero documentation - no write-ups, no formal warnings, no performance improvement plan. Just like you, I had one vague meeting where my manager mentioned some concerns but nothing was ever put in writing. The whole process took about 2.5 weeks from filing to approval. My employer contested it of course, but during the fact-finding interview the UC representative kept asking them for specific dates, documentation, and details about their progressive discipline policy. When they couldn't provide anything concrete beyond "we had discussions," I was approved pretty quickly. A few things that really helped my case: - I requested my personnel file immediately after termination (in writing via certified mail) - it showed absolutely no performance-related documents - I had my timeline ready with exact dates of any conversations about work - I mentioned my previous performance reviews were satisfactory/good - I was very factual and didn't get emotional during the interview The UC interviewer actually told me that PA expects employers to follow proper progressive discipline procedures before terminating for performance issues. One informal conversation definitely doesn't meet that standard. Based on what you've described, you have a really strong case - probably even stronger than mine was. Don't let anxiety stop you from filing, you've got this!

I had my PA UC appeal hearing about 4 weeks ago and my employer was also a no-show! The referee waited around 25 minutes and tried calling them multiple times before proceeding. It definitely worked in my favor - I got my decision in exactly 22 days and won the appeal. What really helped was that I had all my documentation organized and answered every question thoroughly, even though my employer wasn't there to challenge anything. The referee explained that employer no-shows are actually more common than you'd think, and when they don't appear, they can't present evidence to support their case for denying benefits. My backpay hit my ReliaCard about 8 days after I received the decision letter. One thing I learned - don't rely on the online portal for updates. My paper decision arrived almost a week before my online account showed any changes. Keep filing those weekly claims and try not to stress too much about the timeline. Based on everyone's experiences here, employer no-shows almost always work out well for claimants. The waiting is torture when you have bills due, but you're likely in a really good position. Good luck!

I just went through this exact situation about a month ago! My employer completely no-showed my PA UC appeal hearing - the referee waited 20 minutes and tried calling them twice before proceeding without them. It definitely worked in my favor! The referee explained that when employers don't appear, they forfeit their opportunity to present evidence against you or dispute your testimony. Since they typically need to prove misconduct or policy violations to justify denying benefits, their absence really strengthens your case. My decision came in exactly 24 days and I won the appeal! The backpay process was pretty smooth - all my retroactive payments hit my ReliaCard about 12 days after I got the decision letter in the mail. A few tips from my experience: definitely keep filing your weekly claims during the wait (you'll get paid for all eligible weeks if you win), focus on checking your mailbox instead of the online portal (my paper decision arrived 4 days before my online account updated), and try not to stress too much about the exact timeline - it seems like most people get their decisions within that 3-week window. From reading through this thread, employer no-shows are surprisingly common in PA UC appeals and they almost always result in favorable outcomes. The waiting is absolutely brutal when you're worried about rent and bills, but you're probably in a much better position than you realize. Hang in there and keep us posted when you get your decision!

I'm in almost the exact same situation right now! Had my referee hearing yesterday and my former employer was a complete no-show too. The referee spent about 25 minutes going through my testimony and reviewing all my documents. Like you, I was so nervous I forgot to ask about the timeline. My case is also about them claiming it was performance-related when it was clearly a layoff due to budget cuts. I have emails from HR about the layoff and my termination letter specifically mentions "position elimination." Sounds like we both have solid documentation on our side. Reading through all these responses is giving me so much hope! It seems like when employers don't show up and we have good documentation, things usually work out in our favor. The waiting is killing me though - I've been unemployed for almost 6 weeks now and really need these benefits to start. Thanks for posting this question - it's exactly what I needed to read today. Fingers crossed we both get good news soon! 🤞

I'm going through something very similar right now! Had my referee hearing last week and my employer was also a no-show. The referee was really thorough with my testimony and looked at all my documentation carefully. From what I'm seeing in all these responses, it sounds like you're in a really strong position - especially with that documentation proving it was actually a layoff and not performance-related. When the employer doesn't show up, they can't present any evidence to contradict your testimony, which definitely works in your favor. I know the waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking (I'm checking my mailbox obsessively too!), but it sounds like you presented your case well during the hearing. Keep filing those weekly certifications and hopefully we'll both get good news soon. This community has been so helpful in understanding what to expect - thanks for asking the question that so many of us needed answered! 🤞