PA UC first lump sum payment timing & will employer appeal stop my benefits?

For your first question, if you set up direct deposit, you should see the money in your account within 2-3 business days after it's processed. If you're getting it on the Money Network card or by paper check, it could take 5-7 business days. As for the employer appeal situation, good news - PA UC will continue paying your benefits during the appeal process UNLESS they specifically issue a new determination stopping your payments. This is called 'benefits pending appeal' and it's standard practice in PA. Just make sure you keep filing your weekly claims and doing your work search activities during this time!

Thanks for the info! Didn't realize there was a difference in timing between direct deposit and the card. I set up direct deposit so hopefully it'll come through by Monday. And that's a HUGE relief about the benefits continuing during the appeal. I was having visions of waiting another 2 months with no income.

got mine in 2 days with direct deposit last month when i got approved. paper checks take foreverrrrr tho

yep same here! direct deposit was super fast compared to when i had the card last time i was on UC

THEY WILL KEEP PAYING YOU but only if you keep filing your weekly claims!!! If you miss even one week during the appeal process you could lose everything. The system is designed to trick people. I had an employer file an appeal last year and it took 11 weeks to get resolved but I got paid the whole time. Just make absolutely positively sure you do those work search activities EVERY WEEK and document them carefully because if you win the appeal but failed to do proper work search they can still make you pay everything back!!!

11 weeks?? That's insane! Did you have to attend a hearing? I'm worried about having to face my old boss, it ended pretty badly.

Just sharing my experience from January - I had a similar situation with my employer filing an appeal. You'll definitely continue getting paid while it's pending (PA law), but be super prepared for the hearing. My employer brought in their HR person AND a lawyer who twisted everything I said. Try to gather any documentation about why you left/were let go. Emails, performance reviews, anything written. If you have any coworkers who might back up your version of events, write down their names too - you can request they be subpoenaed to testify. Good luck!

this happened to me too!! my boss showed up with like a whole folder of \

I've been trying to call the UC service center for two days about a similar employer appeal situation, and I CANNOT get through!!! Just constant busy signals or it hangs up on me after 2 hours on hold. Has anyone found a way to actually talk to a human being? I'm at my wit's end here and need to understand what documents I need for my appeal hearing.

I was in the same boat last month with the endless busy signals. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me literally days of frustration. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 that shows how it works. Worth it when you're dealing with something important like an appeal.

Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out because I REALLY need to talk to someone before my hearing next week.

when i was waiting for my lump sum last year it took exactly 4 days to hit my account with direct deposit. with everything electronic now its usually pretty fast! dont stress too much!

Update: My payment came through today! Only took 2 business days with direct deposit. Still nervous about this appeal situation but at least I can breathe a little easier knowing I'll have some income while it gets resolved. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!

Great news! Make sure you're keeping detailed records of all your work search activities each week (minimum 2 activities per week). And if you get a hearing notice, it will tell you exactly what the issue is that your employer is disputing. Usually it's about whether you quit without cause or whether there was misconduct involved. The referee will only be looking at that specific issue during the hearing.

They're claiming I quit but I was definitely laid off due to

just so u kno for the future, if u have the UC money network card u can check balance and see when deposits hit on the cardholder website i think its moneynetwork.com or something. i switched to direct deposit cuz the card was annoying but if u ever end up with it thats how u check

Be careful about that employer appeal!!! I've seen SO MANY people lose at these hearings because they weren't prepared. The employer only needs to show you violated a known policy OR that you quit without a necessary reason. Write down EXACT DATES of everything important that happened. Bring every single email or text that supports your side. PA unemployment referees are VERY strict about this stuff and if you lose you'll have to pay back EVERY PENNY they've paid you!!!!

That's terrifying. So even though they're letting me collect benefits during the appeal, I might have to pay it all back if I lose? I thought the worst case was just that benefits would stop going forward.

To clarify on the overpayment concern - yes, if you lose the appeal, any benefits paid during the appeal period would become an overpayment that you'd need to repay. However, in your situation where you mentioned having documentation showing position elimination, you're in a much stronger position than most. Position elimination is generally considered a qualifying separation. Just make sure to submit that email as evidence before the hearing and reference it during your testimony. You should be fine with that documentation.

my cousin had this happen with his job at the warehouse and he got to keep getting paid the whole time the appeal was going on. then he won anyway so it didnt matter. dont stress too much!!

Just went through a similar employer appeal situation last fall - definitely keep filing those weekly claims religiously! The key thing that saved me was having ANY written documentation about the separation. Even if it's just an email from your supervisor mentioning staffing changes or budget cuts, that can be huge evidence in your favor. Also, during the hearing, stick to the facts and don't let emotions take over even if your former employer says frustrating things. The referee will focus on the legal standards for unemployment eligibility, not personal drama. You've got this!