PA UC disqualified me for missed RESEA meeting due to childbirth, but still sent payments - now requesting repayment?

sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing lol. typical PA UC mess! the payments are probably for weeks you claimed before getting disqualified. the money they want back is probably for something else entirely. don't spend those payments they just sent because they'll probably want those back too eventually!!

Oh no, that's what I was afraid of. I haven't touched the money because I was suspicious something wasn't right. Do I need to call them to sort this out or just wait for another letter?

First, congratulations on your baby! What you're experiencing is actually quite common with PA's unemployment system. Here's what's happening:\n\n1. The payments you received are likely for weeks you claimed BEFORE the disqualification decision was made. The system processes payments separately from eligibility decisions.\n\n2. The $405 they want back is probably for weeks they've determined you weren't eligible for after they made the disqualification decision.\n\n3. You have appeal rights for the RESEA disqualification. Having a medical emergency (childbirth + NICU stay) is considered good cause for missing the RESEA requirement. You need to file your appeal within 15 days of the disqualification letter date.\n\n4. Until your appeal is resolved, don't spend the payments if possible, as they might indeed request them back if your appeal isn't successful.

Thank you so much! That makes so much more sense now. Do you know if I should keep filing weekly claims while waiting for the appeal? Also, where exactly do I file the appeal? I've been looking all over the UC website but it's so confusing.

i missed a RESSA meeting once and got my benefits cut off too. total nightmare. but they never sent me money AFTER disqualifying me...thats really weird. maybe ur case got flagged for review and someone decided to pay u anyway? id just take the money and be happy lol

Please don't advise people to just keep the money without resolving the discrepancy. This could result in a future overpayment determination with additional penalties. The proper course of action is to appeal the disqualification if there was good cause (which childbirth certainly is) and to clarify with UC about the recent payments.

The payments and repayment notice you're seeing are part of what's called a \

Thank you for such detailed advice! I've been trying to call for 3 days now but keep getting busy signals or disconnected. Is there any trick to actually getting through to a real person?

I had similar issues getting through to PA UC last month when dealing with a disqualification issue. After four days of constant busy signals, I found a service called Claimyr that got me connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. It basically keeps dialing for you until it gets through, then calls you when it has an agent on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. You can check it out at claimyr.com - it made dealing with my appeal so much easier since I actually got to speak to someone who could explain what was happening with my claim.

That sounds like exactly what I need right now! I'll check out that video. Did they explain everything clearly once you got through to them? I'm worried they'll just tell me to wait for another letter.

Yes, when I finally got through, the agent was able to see exactly what was happening with my claim. They explained that the system had automatically disqualified me but that my appeal had good merit. They also put notes in my file about my situation. Just make sure you have your claim number and all your documents ready when they connect you.

THIS IS LITERALLY THE STUPID STUFF THAT MAKES ME HATE THE PA UC SYSTEM!!!! They expect you to follow EVERY LITTLE RULE even when you're LITERALLY GIVING BIRTH and then they can't even get their OWN SYSTEM right!!! They send money then want it back?? Make up your minds people! And then good luck getting someone on the phone to explain it - I tried for TWO WEEKS straight during my claim issues. The system is DESIGNED to make people give up!!!! 😡😡😡

for real tho!! and then when u finally get someone on the phone half the time they don't even know the answers themselves or tell u something different than the last person did

To answer your questions from above:\n\n1. Yes, you should absolutely continue filing weekly claims during the appeal process. This is crucial - if you win your appeal but haven't been filing, you won't get paid for those weeks.\n\n2. For filing an appeal, you have three options:\n - Online: Log into your PA UC dashboard and look for the \

Thank you! I found the appeals section in my dashboard and started the process. I uploaded my hospital discharge papers and NICU documentation. Fingers crossed they approve it. Should I also explain about the new payments I received and the $405 they're asking for in the same appeal?

The payments/repayment situation is actually separate from your RESEA disqualification, even though they're related. Here's what I recommend:\n\n1. File your appeal for the RESEA disqualification first, as that's the most time-sensitive.\n\n2. For the overpayment notice ($405), you'll need to file a separate appeal or waiver request. Look for a section called \

this is why i hate dealing with UC... so many forms and appeals and different sections. how is anyone supposed to know all this stuff?? its like u need a law degree just to get whats owed to u!

my sister had her baby last year and missed some UC thing too and she just wrote a letter explaining about the birth and sent it with a copy of the birth certificate and they reversed the disqualification. childbirth is definitely considered a valid reason especially with NICU time! dont stress too much about it

That's so reassuring to hear! I'm gathering all my documentation now. Between the hospital discharge papers and NICU records, hopefully that's enough proof. It's just so stressful dealing with this while taking care of a newborn.