PA UC appeal hearing in Wilkes-Barre - how long before scheduling after 'appeal validated'?

It took almost 6 weeks for my hearing to be scheduled after my appeal was validated, and that was in the Scranton office which I think is less backed up than Wilkes-Barre. The whole process is frustratingly slow. Make sure you're preparing your evidence while you wait - gather any emails or documentation that proves you didn't commit theft. The referee will want to see concrete evidence, not just your word against theirs.

my cousin had appeal in wilkes-barre last yr and it took like 5 weeks i think? maybe 6? but she said once it was scheduled the actual hearing happend pretty fast like within a week

I had a similar situation in February with a wrongful termination appeal. My experience with the Wilkes-Barre office was that it took about 4-5 weeks between 'Appeal Validated' status and getting the hearing scheduled. However, I've heard they're backlogged right now because of some staffing issues. Make sure you're checking both your online portal AND your mail daily. Sometimes they send the hearing notice by regular mail and don't update the portal until later. Also, keep doing your weekly certifications even while waiting for the appeal - if you win, you'll get backpay for those weeks.

THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE US GIVE UP!! They DELIBERATELY make the process as slow as possible hoping people will just go away. My hearing took 9 WEEKS to schedule after validation and then they rescheduled it TWICE!!!

Former PA UC employee here. The current average wait time for Wilkes-Barre referee hearings is approximately 4-7 weeks from 'Appeal Validated' date. Some important things to know: 1) Continue filing your weekly claims during this waiting period 2) Gather all documentation related to your termination (disciplinary notices, witness statements, etc.) 3) If you haven't received a hearing notice after 7 weeks, contact the referee office again 4) The hearing will likely be conducted by phone rather than in-person Most importantly, prepare your testimony to focus specifically on why the discharge was not due to willful misconduct. Your employer will need to prove you knowingly violated a policy, not just that they suspected you did. Also, consider calling your state representative's constituent services office. They can sometimes help expedite UC issues.

Have you tried contacting Claimyr to reach the UC service center directly? I was stuck in a similar situation last month and couldn't get through on the regular phone lines. I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a rep in about 15 minutes who was able to tell me exactly what was happening with my appeal. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The UC rep I talked to was able to see notes on my appeal that weren't visible in the portal and gave me a better time estimate.

Quick question - did you file your appeal online or by mail? I'm hearing that appeals filed by certified mail sometimes get processed faster than online ones. Also make sure you've uploaded all your evidence in the portal if you filed online - sometimes this can speed things up a bit.

One more tip - when you do get your hearing scheduled, make sure you call in 10-15 minutes early to the hearing. I was exactly on time for mine and the referee had already started talking with my former employer! Also, speak clearly and avoid interrupting anyone, even if they're saying things that aren't true. The referee will give you time to respond.

Responding to your question about presenting your case: Be concise and stick to facts. Write down bullet points before the hearing so you don't forget anything important. When the referee asks why you believe you should qualify for benefits, focus on: 1) Your work history at the company before the incident 2) The specific allegation made against you 3) Why the allegation is false (your evidence) 4) Any procedural problems with how the employer handled the situation Avoid emotional language or attacking your manager's character. Just state facts and provide evidence. If your manager interrupts you, let them finish and then ask the referee if you may respond.