PA UC Referee Hearing - Other Party No-Show, What Happens Next?

This is generally good news for you! When the employer doesn't show up, they can't present any evidence against your claim. The referee will make a decision based only on your testimony and whatever documents are already in your case file. Most of the time, this results in a favorable decision for the claimant (you). You should receive the referee's decision in the mail within 7-10 days. If approved, payments usually start processing within a few days after the decision letter is issued. Keep filing your weekly claims in the meantime!

I had same thing happn to me back in feb. Got aproved 3 days later. Just keep checkin ur dashboard!!

While it's often favorable when the employer doesn't show, it's not an automatic win. The referee must still determine if you qualify under PA UC law. If you were discharged, they need to determine you didn't commit willful misconduct. If you quit, they need to find you had a necessitous and compelling reason. That said, without the employer there to contest your version of events, your testimony stands unchallenged, which definitely works in your favor. Just wanted to clarify it's not 100% guaranteed.

I had a hearing last year and my employer was a no-show too. The referee still ruled AGAINST me! Said something about "the burden of proof" still being on me even if they didn't show up. So don't count those chickens yet.

You might still be waiting weeks even with a favorable decision! I won my appeal in March and it took ANOTHER 6 weeks before my payments actually started!!! The system is totally broken. They make these decisions then put your claim in some other review queue or something! I tried calling the UC office every single day and got nothing but busy signals or disconnects for WEEKS until I found Claimyr (claimyr.com). They got me connected to a real person at PA UC in about 20 minutes. There's a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent told me my claim needed to be manually released after the appeal decision, which apparently isn't automatic. Worth checking if you win but don't see payments starting.

did the referee tell u if the employer had filed any documents before the hearing? sometimes they dont show up but send in all their evidence ahead of time and the referee still considers that

Just as a follow-up - make sure you don't miss any weekly certifications while waiting for the decision. If you win the appeal but haven't been filing each week, you won't get paid for those missed weeks. The system requires you to keep certifying even during appeals.

What was your appeal about, if you don't mind me asking? I have my hearing next Thursday and I'm starting to panic a bit. My employer is fighting my claim saying I quit when I was actually laid off. Did you have an attorney or did you represent yourself?

check ur mail evry day!! thats how i found out i won

The referee hearing decisions are taking FOREVER in 2025. My friend just got her decision letter 3 weeks after her hearing. The backlog is ridiculous right now.

I went through this exact situation last year! When the employer doesn't show up to the hearing, it's definitely a good sign, but like others mentioned, it's not automatic. The referee still has to make a decision based on the evidence and testimony provided. Since you had documentation showing it was a layoff (not performance-related), and the employer wasn't there to contest your version of events, you're in a really strong position. The fact that the referee spent 20 minutes taking your testimony shows they were being thorough. One thing to watch out for - even if you win, PA UC sometimes has issues with the system automatically processing appeal reversals. I had to call after my favorable decision to get my payments released. But first, wait for that decision letter! Sounds like you did everything right during the hearing.

I'm in a similar situation - had my hearing two weeks ago and the employer was a no-show. The referee was very thorough with my testimony and reviewed all my documents carefully. Still waiting for the decision letter but this thread is giving me hope! For what it's worth, I've been keeping detailed notes of everything throughout this process including the hearing itself. If anyone needs tips on what to prepare for the hearing or what questions they might ask, feel free to reach out. This community has been so helpful during this stressful time. @Anastasia Sokolov - your case sounds really solid with that documentation showing it was a layoff. Fingers crossed you get good news soon!

I had a similar experience last year where my employer was a no-show at the referee hearing. The referee still went through all the questions and reviewed my documentation, just like yours did. I ended up getting a favorable decision about 10 days later. Since you have documentation showing it was actually a layoff and not performance-related, and the employer wasn't there to dispute your testimony, you're in a really good position. The fact that they incorrectly reported it as performance issues when it was clearly a layoff should work strongly in your favor. One heads up though - when I won my appeal, I had to call PA UC to get my payments actually released. The system didn't automatically start processing them even after the favorable decision. But don't worry about that until you get your decision letter first. Keep filing those weekly certifications in the meantime!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! My employer was a complete no-show at the referee hearing - didn't even call in or send any representatives. The referee still conducted a full hearing with me, asking detailed questions about my job, the circumstances of my separation, and reviewing all the documents I had submitted. Like you, I was really nervous and forgot to ask about next steps, but here's what happened: I got my decision letter about 8 days later and it was favorable! The referee's decision specifically mentioned that the employer failed to participate in the hearing and therefore couldn't present evidence to contest my testimony. Since you have documentation showing it was actually a layoff (not performance-related like they claimed to UC), and your testimony went unchallenged, you should feel pretty optimistic. Just make sure to keep filing your weekly certifications while you wait - that's super important even during the appeal process. The decision will definitely come by mail, and once you get it, if it's favorable, your back payments should process pretty quickly. Hang in there - sounds like you presented your case well!

Hi Anastasia, I'm currently going through the same thing. Employer was a no show to the hearing and I'm wondering what the outcome will be. I know that just because they didn't show doesn't mean the board will rule in favor of my appeal. Hope everything works out for you :

Hi there! I just went through a similar situation a few months back. My employer was also a no-show at the referee hearing, and I was super nervous about what would happen next. The good news is that when the employer doesn't participate, they can't present any counter-evidence to your testimony. The referee has to base their decision on what's in the file and what you presented. Since you have documentation showing it was actually a layoff (not performance issues), that's huge in your favor. I got my decision letter about 9 days after the hearing, and it was approved! The payments started processing within a few days after that. Just keep filing your weekly certifications while you wait - that's really important. One tip: if you do get approved but don't see payments start within a week of the decision, you might need to call PA UC to manually release them. I've seen several people mention this issue in various threads. But cross that bridge when you come to it! Hang in there - sounds like you did everything right during the hearing. The waiting is the hardest part, but having that documentation really puts you in a strong position. 🤞

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! 🤞