I went through this exact same process about 6 months ago and I totally understand the anxiety you're feeling right now! The waiting period after the hearing is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially when you're worried about paying bills. A few things that might help ease your mind: First, the fact that you didn't receive formal warnings before being terminated actually puts you in a pretty strong position. In PA, employers need to prove "willful misconduct" to disqualify someone from benefits, and performance issues without proper documentation rarely meet that threshold. Second, don't let the lawyer intimidate you - I've seen plenty of cases where employers bring legal representation but still lose because they simply don't have the facts on their side. The referee's job is to determine what actually happened, not who has the fancier presentation. While you're waiting for the decision, I'd recommend putting together a timeline of events leading up to your termination, including any conversations with supervisors, performance reviews (or lack thereof), and company policies that may be relevant. If you do need to appeal to the Board level, having everything organized will make the process much smoother. Stay strong - based on what you've shared, you have good grounds for your appeal. The system can be frustrating but don't give up!

I'm going through something similar right now and wanted to share what I've learned from others who've been through this process. The timeline for referee decisions seems to vary quite a bit - I've heard everything from 8 days to almost a month, so try not to stress too much about the exact timing. One thing that really helped me was talking to someone at a local legal aid office. They have attorneys who specialize in unemployment cases and can give you free advice about your situation. Even just a 15-minute phone consultation helped me understand my rights and what to expect if I need to appeal further. Also, regarding the employer bringing a lawyer - I've learned this is actually pretty standard, especially for larger companies. It doesn't mean they have a stronger case, it just means they're taking it seriously. The referee is trained to make sure both sides get a fair hearing regardless of representation. Since you mentioned being terminated for performance issues without formal warnings, that actually sounds like it could work in your favor. PA has pretty strict requirements for what constitutes willful misconduct, and simple performance issues usually don't qualify. Try to stay positive while you wait for the decision. I know it's easier said than done when you're worried about rent, but based on what you've shared, it sounds like you presented your case well. Keep us updated on how it goes!

This whole overpayment system is such a MESS! I got hit with a $4,200 overpayment last month because they said I didn't report earnings correctly, but I SWEAR I did everything by the book! Now I'm appealing but reading your post has me worried maybe I missed something in the fine print. The PA UC website is impossible to navigate even when you DO have computer access!!!

Glad you got through to the appeals office! Just wanted to add for anyone else reading this - if you're having trouble reaching PA UC by phone, try calling right when they open at 8 AM or during lunch hours around 12-1 PM. Those seem to be the best times to actually get through. Also, if you do end up owing an overpayment, don't ignore it! They'll work with you on payment plans if you're proactive about it. The interest and penalties add up fast if you just let it sit.

Been following this thread and wanted to share my experience as someone who's been navigating PA UC for about 6 months now. The timing really does vary by bank - I use a small local credit union and typically get my deposits on Tuesday when the payment date shows Monday. One thing I learned the hard way is to always screenshot your payment confirmation page when it updates, especially during your first few weeks. I had one payment that got "lost" in processing and having that screenshot helped when I had to call UC to track it down. Also, for anyone new to this - don't stress too much about the exact timing once you get into a routine. Your bank will be consistent, so after 2-3 payments you'll know your pattern. The first payment is always the most nerve-wracking!

As someone who just went through the initial approval process myself, I can relate to that anxiety of waiting for the first payment! Reading through everyone's experiences here really helps put things in perspective. It's interesting how much the timing varies by bank - seems like most people see their funds within 1-3 business days of the payment date appearing in the system. For future reference, I'm definitely going to follow the advice about setting up mobile banking alerts and taking screenshots of payment confirmations. The tip about weekend/holiday delays is also really valuable since I hadn't considered how that might affect the timing. Thanks everyone for sharing your real-world experiences - this kind of practical info is so much more helpful than the vague official guidance!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the stress of waiting for UC while facing eviction is absolutely horrible. I went through something similar last year (8 weeks waiting for work separation determination) and want to share a few things that helped me: First, definitely try the early morning calling strategy others mentioned - I had success calling at 7:58am and hitting redial repeatedly until someone picked up around 8:25am. When I finally got through, I learned my employer had also disputed my claim. Second, while you're waiting, contact your county's Community Action Agency - they often have emergency rental assistance that can bridge you over until UC comes through. In my county, they were able to pay 2 months of back rent directly to my landlord within 10 days of applying. Also, if you haven't already, document EVERYTHING about your job separation - emails about restructuring, your final pay stub, any witnesses to layoffs, etc. If your employer is claiming misconduct vs. layoff, you'll need this evidence for your eventual interview. The wait is brutal but hang in there - once approved, you'll get every penny of backpay. Most work separation disputes do eventually get resolved in the claimant's favor if it was truly a layoff situation. You're doing everything right by continuing to file weekly and job search. This system is broken but you WILL get through this!

I'm really sorry you're going through this - the 8 week wait is absolutely brutal and the stress of facing eviction while waiting for UC is just overwhelming. Reading through all these responses has given me some hope though, especially seeing how many people have eventually gotten through this nightmare. I wanted to add one more resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation last year - try contacting your local United Way chapter (dial 211 or search online). They have a database of emergency assistance programs in your area and can sometimes connect you directly with organizations that provide immediate rent help. In my case, they connected me with a local church that had an emergency fund specifically for people waiting on government benefits. Also, if you do get through to UC and find out your employer is disputing the claim, ask the rep specifically what reason your employer gave. Sometimes they dispute it as "quit" vs "laid off" or claim "misconduct" when it was really restructuring. Knowing exactly what they're claiming can help you prepare better evidence for your interview. The early morning calling strategy really does work - I got through at 8:18am after starting at 8:00am and just kept redialing. Have your SSN and all your info ready because once you get someone, they can usually tell you immediately what's holding up your claim. Hang in there - you're going to get through this and you will get all that backpay. This system is completely broken but most people do eventually get approved, especially for layoffs/restructuring situations.

I'm also new to this whole UC system and just started my first bi-weekly claims last month as a union pipefitter. All the advice here is solid - definitely answer YES to the work search question! One thing I learned the hard way is to also double-check that your union information is properly noted in your UC profile. I had to call and update mine because somehow it didn't carry over from my initial application correctly. Also, don't stress too much about the wording of the questions - they're confusing even for people who've done this before. The key things to remember: say yes to work search (union hall registration counts), report any earnings accurately even small amounts, and mark yourself available every day unless you genuinely weren't. My first few claims took me forever because I kept second-guessing myself on every question, but now it only takes about 5 minutes. You'll get the hang of it quickly! The hardest part is definitely behind you after getting through that ID.me nightmare.

As another newcomer who just started filing bi-weekly claims, I wanted to share what worked for me! I'm in the operating engineers union and was also super nervous about messing up after all the ID.me drama. Here's what I did that helped: Before my first filing, I called my union hall and asked them to email me a simple letter stating that I'm a member in good standing and that all my work comes through their dispatch system. When I filed my bi-weekly claim, I answered YES to the work search question and uploaded that letter as supporting documentation just to be extra safe. The whole process actually went smoothly and I got my payment without any issues. The questions are definitely confusing at first but everyone's advice here is right on - your union registration absolutely counts as work search activity. One small tip: I set a reminder on my phone to file every Sunday morning so I don't forget or miss the deadline. It's become part of my routine now and only takes a few minutes once you know what you're doing. Hang in there - you've got this!