PA UC appeal for overpayment - received referee letter with no hearing date?

Yes, they send the hearing date in a separate notice. The first letter just confirms your appeal was received and a referee has been assigned to your case. The actual hearing notice will come later and will include the date, time, and whether it's by phone or in person. You'll typically get at least 10 days' notice before your hearing date. Make sure you have all your documentation ready - doctor's notes for your absences, any communication with your employer about your illness, and copies of your UC claim information. The referee will need to determine if your separation was due to willful misconduct or if you had good cause for the absences.

they did the same thing to me! the hearing date letter came like 3 weeks after the first one. suuuper stressful waiting. good luck

In my experience with PA UC appeals, the hearing notices can come anywhere from 2-6 weeks after the initial referee assignment letter. They're really backed up right now in the appeals office. I'd suggest gathering ALL your evidence now while you wait - especially those doctor's notes since your case involves attendance issues. Make copies of everything! And make sure to check both your mail AND your UC dashboard online, as sometimes notices appear there first. One tip: When you get your hearing date, if you need more time to prepare or have a conflict, you can request a continuance, but do it ASAP after receiving the date.

Ur lucky u evn got a letter lol... i had to call like 50 times b4 i got ANY response about my appeal. UC system is a totl joke

Here's some additional information about overpayment appeals that might help: 1. The hearing is usually scheduled within 30-45 days of filing your appeal, though it can take longer during busy periods. 2. You should receive the hearing notice at least 10 days before the scheduled date. 3. Most hearings are being conducted by phone right now, so make sure your contact information is up-to-date in the system. 4. For medical-related absences, you'll need to prove that: - You informed your employer according to their policy - You provided medical documentation when required - The absences were justified by your medical condition 5. If you win your appeal, the overpayment will be removed and any benefits you're still eligible for will be paid. Good luck with your case!

I went through this exact situation last year. The hearing date letter came about a month after I got the initial referee letter. My advice: start preparing your case NOW. I lost my appeal because I didn't have enough documentation to prove I had good cause for quitting. If you have doctor's notes, make multiple copies and organize them by date. Also write out a clear timeline of events to help the referee follow your case. Another thing - they'll ask your former employer to participate in the hearing too, so be prepared for them to tell their side of the story.

Regarding having a lawyer - for an overpayment of $4,650, it's probably not necessary to hire an attorney, but you can have a representative if you want. PA UC appeals are designed to be navigated without attorneys, and the referee will help guide the process. Focus on organizing your evidence and preparing your testimony. Be ready to explain: 1. The exact medical conditions that caused your absences 2. How you notified your employer each time 3. What documentation you provided them 4. Any relevant company policies about attendance and call-offs Stick to the facts and be respectful during the hearing, even if your former employer isn't. The referee is looking at whether you had good cause for the absences or if they constituted willful misconduct.

Yes, you can submit new evidence at the hearing that wasn't included with your initial appeal. The referee will accept relevant documents during the hearing, but it's better to be prepared with everything in advance. One thing to note - make sure you attend the hearing no matter what! If you miss it, you'll almost certainly lose your appeal by default. If something comes up and you absolutely can't make the scheduled time, call the appeals office IMMEDIATELY to request a postponement. They're strict about this.

Dont stress too much about it, half the time the employer doesnt even show up to these hearings. Mine didnt and I won automatically lol

UPDATE: I just got my hearing notice in the mail today!! It's scheduled for May 18th at 10:45am and will be by phone. That's about 3 weeks from when I got the first letter. Now I need to get all my evidence together. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!