PA UC Appeal filed 3+ months ago with no hearing date - what's the normal wait time?

Unfortunately the PA UC appeal system is incredibly backed up right now. I filed an appeal in late December 2024 and didn't get my hearing date until early April 2025 - so about 3.5 months of waiting. The referee told me during my hearing that they're running about 12-16 weeks behind schedule statewide. Some appeal offices are faster than others though, so it depends on your county. I'd recommend continuing to file your biweekly claims during this waiting period so you can receive backpay if your appeal is successful!

same thing happend to me waiting 4 months for my appeal hearing!!!! the system is BROKEN and they dont care about us at all

The current average wait time for UC appeals in Pennsylvania is approximately 14-18 weeks from filing date to scheduled hearing. This is significantly longer than the pre-pandemic timeframe, which was typically 6-8 weeks. Some important steps while you wait: 1. Continue filing your biweekly claims without fail 2. Update your address in the system if you move 3. Check both mail and email daily for notices 4. Gather documentation supporting your case (work schedules, emails from employer, etc.) 5. Prepare a clear, concise explanation of why you should qualify for benefits When your hearing is finally scheduled, you'll typically get 7-10 days notice. Be sure to call and confirm your attendance immediately.

My cousin went through this and she said the trick is to contact your state representative's office! They can sometimes help speed up the process or at least get you information about where your appeal stands. Worth a try!

Have you tried using Claimyr to get through to someone at the UC service center? I was in a similar situation with my appeal, and after weeks of busy signals, I used Claimyr.com to get through to a live person. They don't speed up your appeal, but they got me connected to someone who could at least check the status and give me more detailed information about where my appeal was in the queue. Saved me hours of redialing. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

Also worth noting - if you're experiencing severe financial hardship while waiting (eviction risk, utility shutoffs, etc.), you can request your appeal to be expedited. Call the UC service center and specifically ask for your appeal to be marked as a financial hardship case. You'll need to provide documentation proving the hardship, but it can sometimes move your case up in the queue.

did you make sure you got the appeal confirmation number??? my friend thought he filed but never got the confirmation # and it turned out his appeal wasnt even in there system!!!

Just as an update on my earlier comment - once you do get your hearing notice, start preparing right away! I only had 8 days notice before my hearing date. Make sure you have all your documentation ready, and if your employer is disputing your claim, be prepared to address their specific reasons for contest. In my case, having detailed notes about my final weeks of work made a huge difference in the outcome.

I know waiting for your appeal hearing is super stressful. While you're waiting, make sure you're fulfilling all your work search requirements too! I've heard horror stories of people winning their appeals but then losing benefits because they didn't keep up with required work searches during the waiting period. Keep detailed records of every job you apply for!