PA UC claim reopen question - Will previous employer request another hearing if I reopen at 30% reduced benefits?
Hi everyone, I'm in a tough spot and need some advice about reopening my PA unemployment claim. I initially received UC benefits from May 2023 through November 2023 (the full 26 weeks). My employer contested it, but after a hearing, I got a 'no fault' decision in my favor. Now here's my situation - I've been working part-time since then, but haven't found full-time work despite trying for months. I'm thinking about reopening my UC claim, but I know that means taking a 30% reduction in weekly benefits. My main concern: can my previous employer request ANOTHER hearing if I reopen my claim? The last hearing was so stressful, and I really don't want to go through that again. Has anyone reopened their claim after receiving a favorable hearing decision before? Any insights would be really appreciated!
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Issac Nightingale
Your previous employer won't be able to request another hearing specifically about the same separation issue that was already decided in your favor with the 'no fault' decision. That determination stands. However, if you're reopening an existing benefit year (rather than filing a completely new claim), you'll receive the same weekly benefit amount minus the 30% reduction - it's not considered a new separation from employment that would trigger another hearing. Just make sure when you reopen, you're clear that you're reopening an existing claim and not filing a brand new one.
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Serene Snow
•Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. Do you know if I'll need to complete a new set of job search requirements when I reopen? I've been keeping records of my applications but wasn't sure if the reopened claim has different requirements.
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Romeo Barrett
I reopend my claim last month and they made me do all the ID.me verification stuff again even tho I did it before. so annoying! but atleast i didnt have to do another hearing with my old job
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Marina Hendrix
•The ID.me reverification isn't always required when reopening. It depends on how long it's been since your last active claim and if your previous verification is still valid in their system. For most people reopening within the same benefit year, you typically don't need to redo the ID.me process unless it's been longer than 12 months since your last verification.
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Justin Trejo
DONT COUNT ON ANYTHING BEING EASY WITH PA UC!!! I reopened my claim after 4 months and somehow they put an 'open issue' on it that took 8 WEEKS to resolve!!! And guess what?? It was because they claimed they needed to 'verify my identity' which I had ALREADY DONE through that stupid ID.me thing. The whole system is designed to make us give up. And yes, you'll get 30% less money which is barely enough to survive on anyway. Start preparing for delays now because they're inevitable.
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Serene Snow
•Oh no, that sounds awful! Did you ever figure out why they put the open issue on your claim? I'm trying to prepare for any potential problems.
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Justin Trejo
•Just the usual PA UC incompetence. They never actually told me WHY there was an issue, just that it was 'resolved' after I called them 27 times and finally got through to a human being. My advice? Start calling them the SECOND you see any issues on your claim. Don't wait around hoping it resolves itself.
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Alana Willis
when i reopened mine last year they told me i had to do a work search again just like before. you need to apply to at least 2 jobs and do 1 work search activity every week. make sure you write it all down!!! they can audit you and make you show proof.
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Serene Snow
•Thanks for the reminder about work search activities. I've been keeping track of all my applications anyway since I've been looking for full-time work. Good to know the requirements are the same.
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Tyler Murphy
My brother's friend reopened his claim and they made him have another hearing because his employer said he had been working under the table while collecting benefits previously. Is there any chance your employer might make accusations like that? Just something to think about...
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Marina Hendrix
•This situation is quite different. What you're describing is an employer reporting potential fraud, which will always trigger an investigation regardless of previous determinations. For the original poster, if they've been truthfully reporting all earnings and following program rules, reopening a claim within the same benefit year after a favorable determination won't automatically trigger a new hearing about the original separation.
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Issac Nightingale
One important thing to remember when reopening your claim: if you've worked since your initial claim (which it sounds like you have with part-time work), you'll need to report all employers you've worked for since your original claim filing. Make sure to have accurate information about dates worked and earnings for each employer. Incorrect information here is one of the most common reasons for delays in reopened claims.
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Serene Snow
•That's really helpful advice - thank you! I've only had one part-time employer since my original claim, and I have all my pay stubs organized. I'll make sure to have all those dates and earnings ready when I reopen.
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Romeo Barrett
does anyone know if they take more taxes out of the reduced benefits? i'm getting so much less than i expected when i reopened and i'm totally broke now
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Marina Hendrix
•The tax withholding percentage remains the same (10% federal if you elected to have taxes withheld), but it's calculated on your reduced benefit amount. So you're getting less in benefits due to the 30% reduction, and then the same percentage tax withholding on that smaller amount. It's not that they're taking a higher percentage - it's just that everything is based on a smaller initial amount.
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Serene Snow
Thank you all for the helpful information! I'm going to reopen my claim next week and make sure I have all my employment information and work search records organized. It's a relief to know I shouldn't have to go through another hearing about my original separation. I'll update here if I run into any issues with the process for anyone who might be in a similar situation in the future.
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Issac Nightingale
•Good plan! Just be prepared for the possibility of some delays in processing - that's unfortunately common with reopened claims. Make sure to file your weekly certifications on time, even if your reopened claim is still pending. If everything is processed correctly, they'll pay you retroactively for those weeks. Best of luck with your job search!
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Logan Scott
I went through a similar situation last year - had a favorable hearing decision and then reopened my claim about 6 months later. The good news is that your previous employer can't challenge the same separation issue that was already ruled on. The "no fault" decision is final for that employment period. When you reopen, you're essentially continuing your existing benefit year with the 30% reduction, not starting a brand new claim. Just make sure you have documentation of your part-time work ready and keep detailed records of your job search activities. The process was pretty straightforward for me once I got through the initial reopening steps. Hope this helps ease some of your worries!
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Ruby Blake
•Thank you Logan, that's exactly the kind of reassurance I needed to hear! It's really helpful to know from someone who went through the same situation that the "no fault" decision protects against having to defend the same separation issue again. I was so worried about facing another stressful hearing process. Can I ask - did you experience any delays when you reopened, or did it go pretty smoothly once you submitted everything?
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Effie Alexander
•@Logan Scott - did you have to do any additional verification steps when you reopened? I keep seeing mixed experiences about ID.me and other verification requirements, so I m'trying to get a sense of what to expect.
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Ellie Simpson
•@Logan Scott That s'really encouraging to hear from someone who s'been through this exact situation! I m'the original poster and your experience gives me so much more confidence about moving forward. Did you have any issues with the work search requirements when you reopened, or were they pretty much the same as your initial claim? I ve'been keeping detailed records of my job applications since I ve'been actively searching anyway, but I want to make sure I m'prepared for any changes in the process.
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