PA UC appeal hearing complete - what happens next with my benefits?

The referee should make a decision within 10-14 days, though sometimes it can take up to 3 weeks. You'll receive the decision by mail, not email, so keep an eye on your mailbox. The decision letter will explain if you won or lost and what happens next. If you win, your payments should be released automatically within 2-3 business days after the decision is processed, including any backpay you're owed. You don't need to do anything extra, but it doesn't hurt to check your dashboard for updates.

YES keep filing those weekly claims!!! Even while waiting for the decision, never stop filing. If u win the appeal but haven't been filing, u won't get paid for those weeks u missed filing!!! Learned this the hard way last year.

My appeal was back in January and it took almost 4 weeks to get a decision letter. Felt like forever!

After struggling to get any information about my appeal decision, I finally got through to someone at the UC service center using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a system that gets you past the busy signals and actually connects you with a PA UC agent. I was able to find out my appeal status without waiting for the mail. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. Saved me so much stress during my appeal process.

Yes, it worked for me. I got through to an agent in about 25 minutes after trying for days on my own. They were able to tell me my appeal was decided in my favor even before I got the letter.

The appeals process can be frustrating, but there is a specific timeline they follow. After your hearing, the referee reviews all evidence and testimony, then writes up a formal decision. By law, they're supposed to issue it within 14 days, but with the current backlog, 3-4 weeks is more realistic. When the decision is made, you'll receive a Notice of Decision by mail that will explain: 1. The outcome (affirmed, reversed, or modified) 2. The reasoning behind the decision 3. What this means for your eligibility and payments 4. Your right to appeal to the UC Board of Review (if you disagree) If the decision is in your favor, your payments should process automatically within a few business days. The system will release any eligible backpay from the weeks you've filed. If there's a delay longer than 5 business days after receiving a favorable decision, that's when you should contact the UC service center.

my cousin went thru this last month. got decision in like 2 weeks. money came 3 days later. good luck!!

I had an appeal back in February about job search requirements - they said I didn't do enough applications but I totally did! Anyway I showed the referee my records and got approved. But here's the thing - I still had to call them after I got the approval letter because the money didn't come automatically like they said it would. Something about them needing to manually remove the hold on my account? Idk but maybe check on it if you don't see payment within a week of getting your decision.

Took me like 43 calls over 2 days lol. Total nightmare. But I finally got someone who fixed it right away.

I'm going through the same thing! My hearing was Monday and now I'm just anxiously waiting. Did your referee give any hints about which way they were leaning? Mine asked a ton of questions but I couldn't tell if that was good or bad.

That's normal! They're trained to be neutral and not show which way they're leaning. They have to gather all the facts before making a decision. Keep filing those weekly claims and hang in there!

I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! The waiting after the hearing is honestly the worst part because you have no idea which way it's going to go. In my case, it took exactly 16 days to get the decision letter. What really helped me during the wait was keeping a detailed log of everything - when I filed weekly claims, what correspondence I received, etc. Also, make sure your address is updated in the system because that decision letter is super important and you don't want it going to the wrong place. The good news is that most people I know who felt their hearing went well ended up getting approved. Try to stay positive and definitely keep filing those weekly claims like others have said!

I'm in a similar situation - had my appeal hearing last week and the waiting is driving me crazy! One thing I learned from reading through all these comments is to definitely keep filing those weekly claims no matter what. I almost stopped filing because I figured what's the point if my benefits are on hold, but now I realize that would have been a huge mistake. Also going to take the advice about keeping a detailed log of everything. It's so frustrating that we have to jump through all these hoops just to get benefits we're entitled to, but I guess that's the system we're dealing with. Fingers crossed for both of us that we get good news soon!

I went through this same stressful waiting period last year and totally understand the anxiety! My appeal hearing was in October and I got my decision letter exactly 19 days later. The referee was super professional but gave no hints about which way it was going, which made the wait even more nerve-wracking. One thing that helped me stay sane was setting up informed delivery with USPS so I could see what mail was coming each day - at least I knew when to expect that important letter! When I finally got the favorable decision, my backpay hit my account 4 days later automatically, no follow-up needed. The key things that worked for me: kept filing weekly claims religiously, documented everything, and tried to stay busy with job searching to keep my mind off the wait. You've got this - the fact that you felt good about how the hearing went is definitely a positive sign!

Hey Gemma! I just went through this exact same process about 8 weeks ago and I know how nerve-wracking the waiting is. In my case, it took 21 days to get the decision letter, which felt like an eternity! The referee in my hearing was also pretty thorough and neutral, asking detailed questions but not giving any hints about which way they were leaning. One thing I wish someone had told me is that you can actually check your dashboard more frequently during this time - sometimes there are small status updates that appear before the official letter arrives. Also, definitely echo what others have said about continuing to file your weekly claims no matter what. I almost made the mistake of stopping because I figured it didn't matter while the appeal was pending, but thankfully someone warned me just like Mae did for you! When I finally got my favorable decision, the backpay processed within 3 business days automatically. The relief was incredible after all that stress. Try to stay positive - the fact that you felt the hearing went well and the referee was thorough are both good signs. Hang in there!

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Had my PA UC appeal hearing 5 days ago and the waiting is absolutely brutal. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful though - I had no idea about some of these tips like setting up USPS informed delivery or checking the dashboard more frequently for status updates. The one thing that's giving me hope is that pretty much everyone who felt their hearing went well ended up getting approved. My referee was also very thorough and professional, asking detailed questions but staying completely neutral. I was worried that all the questions meant something bad, but it sounds like that's totally normal. Definitely taking everyone's advice about continuing to file weekly claims - almost made that mistake myself! Also starting a detailed log of everything like some people suggested. The whole process is so stressful when you're already dealing with financial uncertainty, but at least we're not going through it alone. Fingers crossed we both get good news soon!