PA UC appeal stuck for 2+ months with no hearing date - is this normal?

mine took 11 WEEKS before i got a hearing date!!! the system is completely broken. i had to keep calling every week just to make sure they didnt lose my paperwork or something. they told me the same thing about processing in order but that doesnt help when ur bills are piling up!!! make sure ur still doing the weekly claims tho cause when i finally won my appeal i got backpay for all those weeks.

I went through this last year! Got the hearing date exactly 10 weeks after filing my appeal. They send a notice in the mail AND email nowadays. The hearing was over the phone and lasted maybe 20 minutes. Make sure you have all your documentation ready - I had emails from my boss showing the layoff was due to lack of work which contradicted what they told UC.

The appeals process in PA is severely backlogged right now. The average wait time for a hearing date assignment is currently 10-12 weeks, and some regions are seeing even longer delays. This is unfortunately normal for 2025, though certainly not acceptable. A few important points to remember: 1. Continue filing your weekly claims as instructed 2. Document any communications with your former employer 3. Prepare a brief, clear explanation of why you believe the denial was incorrect 4. If you have witnesses who can testify about your separation, get their contact information ready You'll receive a Notice of Hearing in the mail approximately 10-14 days before the scheduled date, and it will include instructions for participating (usually by phone these days).

mine took 3 months then they cancel/reschedule the hearing TWICE!!! total nightmare. make sure u answer any weird phone #s during that time cause they might call to verify info

Has anyone tried Claimyr to reach UC about appeals? I was in a similar situation waiting forever, and I used their service to actually get through to a human at UC. The agent was able to tell me where my appeal was in the process and give me an estimated timeframe. It costs money but saved me weeks of anxiety. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 or just go to claimyr.com - definitely worth it when you're stuck in appeal limbo.

I work as an employment attorney and can provide some context. The PA Unemployment Compensation Board of Review is experiencing unprecedented backlogs right now. The 8-12 week timeframe others have mentioned is accurate. A few tips that may help your case: 1. If you haven't already, request all records related to your claim through a Right to Know request. This will let you see exactly what your employer said about your separation. 2. Prepare a timeline of events leading to your separation with specific dates. 3. Continue your weekly certifications without fail. 4. If you've entered the 4th month with no hearing date, you can contact your state representative's office as they can sometimes inquire about severely delayed cases. Lastly, when you do receive your hearing date, be succinct and factual in your testimony. The Referee is looking for specific facts, not emotional arguments.

My appeal took 14 weeks before I even got a hearing date! Then another 3 weeks for the actual hearing. The system is totally broken. They expect us to live on what exactly while waiting?? I had to take a terrible job just to survive and then they used that against me in the hearing saying I "found suitable work" so my appeal was moot. Complete BS. The whole system is designed to make you give up.

just be careful u keep doing the work search requirements during this time!!! my cousin's appeal was approved but then they denied him backpay for 4 weeks cause he didn't do the stupid work search activities while waiting!! he had to appeal THAT decision which took another month!!!

One additional suggestion: keep a detailed record of any attempts to contact UC about your appeal status. Note the date, time, who you spoke with (if you managed to reach someone), and what they told you. This documentation can be helpful if there are any disputes about your diligence in following up. Also, while the standard advice is to wait for the process to play out, there are legitimate escalation options if you're approaching the 15-week mark without a hearing date. At that point, consider: 1. Contacting the UC Board of Review directly (not just the regular UC number) 2. Reaching out to Legal Aid in your county, as they may provide free representation for UC appeals 3. Filing a complaint with the PA Department of Labor & Industry Appeals should not take 4+ months, even with the current backlog.

anyone know if u can still get partial benefits while waiting for appeal?? i got a part time job but it pays way less than my old one

When my appeal was finally scheduled, it went better than expected. The referee was actually fair and listened to both sides. My former employer didn't even have their documentation organized, and the referee seemed annoyed with them for that. I got my decision about 10 days after the hearing (approved!) and then backpay came another week later. So even though the wait is terrible, the actual hearing process was straightforward. Just be organized and stick to the facts.