PA UC denied because employer claimed I quit - but I have proof I was fired after medical leave

YES appeal immediately!!! u only have 15 days from when they sent that determination notice. dont wait! employer is trying to avoid paying their share of unemployment taxes.

This happens more often than you'd think. Employers frequently misreport terminations as quits to avoid higher UC contribution rates. The good news is that you have documentation, which is exactly what you need for a successful appeal. Here's what to do: 1. File your appeal within 15 days of the determination notice date (this is critical) 2. Submit copies of all your documentation - both the doctor's notes AND the email showing you were fired 3. Continue filing your weekly claims even while the appeal is pending 4. Prepare a simple statement explaining that you had a medical condition, were unable to return by their specified date, and were terminated as a result In PA, this situation should qualify as eligible for benefits since you didn't voluntarily quit. Medical reasons that prevent you from working, followed by termination, generally do not constitute a voluntary resignation. The appeal hearing will likely be by phone, so have all your documents organized and ready to reference.

You should upload your documentation directly through your PA UC dashboard. Go to your dashboard, select the appeal section, and there should be an option to upload files. Make sure to scan everything clearly if you're using your phone to take pictures of documents. If the files are too large, you might need to compress them. And yes, ABSOLUTELY continue filing your weekly claims during the appeal process. If you win your appeal, they'll only pay you for the weeks you properly filed for - even if you were eligible, if you don't file the weekly certifications, you won't get paid for those weeks retroactively.

I've been through the exact same situation last year! The system is RIGGED against workers. My company claimed I abandoned my job when I had SURGERY and couldn't return when they demanded. It's disgusting how they try to avoid paying UC by lying. The appeal process took FOREVER in my case - almost 2 months for the hearing and another 3 weeks for the decision. Meanwhile I couldn't pay my mortgage and almost lost my house. The PA UC system is completely BROKEN!!! Even when I tried calling to check on my appeal status, I could never get through - constant busy signals and disconnections.

Try using Claimyr to reach an actual person at UC. I was in a similar situation with an employer lying about why I left, and I was going crazy trying to get through the busy signals. Found this service at claimyr.com that got me connected to a real UC agent within an hour. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent was able to tell me exactly what my employer claimed and gave me advice on what specific documentation would help my case the most. Made a huge difference in my appeal process.

i had a similar issue 2 months ago. make sure u bring everything to the hearing!!!! i forgot one of my doctors notes and the referee kept asking for it, made me look bad. also when they ask about ur medical stuff be ready to explain exactly why u couldnt go back to work. my hearing was on the phone and it was pretty scary tbh the referee asks a LOT of questions.

One more important thing - when you file your appeal, be very specific about why you're appealing. State clearly that you did not quit, but were terminated after a medical leave when you were unable to return by the employer's specified date. Mention that you have documentation proving both the medical necessity and the termination email. I'd also recommend preparing a timeline document for yourself with all relevant dates: - When your medical issue began - When you notified your employer - When you provided doctor's notes - When they told you to return by - When you informed them you couldn't return yet - When they sent the termination email This timeline will help you stay organized during the hearing and ensure you don't miss any important details when explaining your situation.

btw did u have FMLA protecton for ur medical leave? if u worked there more than a year and they have 50+ employees u might have a wrongful termination case too. might want to talk to a employment lawyer about that part.

I'm glad you got your appeal filed! One more recommendation - check your PA UC portal daily while waiting for your appeal hearing to be scheduled. They often post updates there before you receive anything in the mail, and sometimes they request additional information with tight deadlines. Also, while you're waiting, continue your job search activities and document everything. PA requires you to complete and record work search activities weekly (applying to jobs, attending job fairs, etc.). If they decide in your favor, they'll check that you've been meeting these requirements before releasing payment.