PA UC claim being contested by base period employer - not the one who laid me off

Thanks for the explanation. That's so frustrating! I got a notice saying they're claiming I quit voluntarily, but that's not true. I was let go because they were reducing staff. I thought that was all behind me, and now it's coming back to mess up my current claim. Will I need to go through an appeal hearing now?

You're right about responding to everything promptly. Missing deadlines in the UC process can really hurt your case. I'd also recommend gathering any documentation you have from when you left that previous employer - resignation letters, emails, final pay stubs with separation reason, anything that counters their claim that you quit.

6 weeks?? I can't wait that long. Did your brother have to do anything special to get it resolved?

I've never heard of that service before. I'll check it out! I've been calling for days and just get busy signals. Did you have to provide any documentation for your hearing?

and make sure u write down EVERYTHING u say during the hearing!! my friend lost his appeal bcuz the employer had notes from the conversation but he didnt have anything so it was just his word against theirs.

Because those employers paid into the system based on their unemployment claims history. More former employees who collect benefits = higher tax rates for them. So they have financial motivation to contest claims even from people who worked there ages ago. Not saying it's right, just explaining why they do it.

That's really helpful to know! So basically if they can't prove I quit voluntarily, I should win the appeal? That makes me feel a bit better about my chances. I'll start gathering whatever documentation I can find from when I left that job.

This is actually good advice. PA UC sometimes seems like it's designed to be frustrating enough that people give up. Stay persistent and keep detailed records of all communications. When I finally reached someone through Claimyr, the agent told me they could see all my previous unsuccessful contact attempts in their system, which actually helped my case.

That's great news! For your hearing, bring anything that shows regular (non-seasonal) employment - consistent hours throughout the year, any communications about permanent employment status, employee handbook, etc. During the hearing, stick to facts and stay calm even if the employer says things you disagree with. Let us know how it goes!

So glad you got through and have a hearing scheduled! That seasonal worker claim sounds like BS - employers try all kinds of tactics to avoid paying into the system. Your paystubs and work schedule should definitely prove you weren't seasonal. Also, if you have any emails or texts from supervisors about your work status or job duties, those could help too. You've got this - sounds like you're well prepared!

Awesome that you got through! The seasonal worker excuse is such a common tactic - I've seen employers try this even when people worked year-round. Your paystubs showing consistent work throughout different seasons should shut that down pretty quickly. Also, if you have any performance reviews or emails about ongoing projects that extended beyond typical seasonal timeframes, those could be gold. The fact that you're being proactive about gathering evidence shows you're taking this seriously. Don't let them push you around - you earned those benefits!

This is really helpful advice! I'm definitely not giving up - too much is at stake. I'm putting together a folder with all my documentation from that job. One thing I'm wondering about is whether I should try to contact any of my old coworkers to see if they'd be willing to speak on my behalf during the hearing? I'm not sure if that's allowed or how that would work. Also, did you end up winning your case when you went through this?

Yes, you can definitely have witnesses testify during your hearing! Former coworkers who can verify your employment status, work schedule, or the circumstances of your separation can be really valuable. Just make sure to give their contact info to the hearing officer ahead of time if possible, and let your coworkers know when the hearing is scheduled so they can be available by phone. I did win my case eventually - it took about 3 weeks after the hearing to get the decision, but having solid documentation and a witness who confirmed I was laid off (not fired for cause like my old employer claimed) really made the difference. The whole process was stressful but definitely worth fighting for. You sound like you're doing everything right by gathering all that documentation!

This is really eye-opening - I had no idea that ALL base period employers pay into the system! That explains why they're so motivated to fight claims even from people who haven't worked there in over a year. It's such a relief to know that they actually have to prove their case with documentation rather than just making accusations. I'm feeling much more confident about my upcoming hearing now. Do you have any advice on what specific types of documentation tend to be most convincing to hearing officers? I have my final pay stub and some text messages from my supervisor, but I'm wondering if there are other things I should be looking for.