PA UC hearing notice from 2021 job - can they take back benefits 4 years later?

omg this happened to my cousin!! the employer waited like 3 years to contest her benefits and PA UC actually made her pay back like $14,000!! i thought there was some kinda time limit on this stuff but apparently not?? this system is so broken its not even funny

There is actually a time limit for employers to appeal initial benefit determinations, which is typically 15 days after the determination is issued. However, there are some situations where PA UC might reopen a case years later: 1. If your husband's original claim had unresolved issues that were never properly adjudicated 2. If there was an audit that flagged his case 3. If his former employer filed a late appeal and was granted "good cause" for the delay 4. If there was potential misrepresentation or fraud detected You should gather all documentation from the original claim, including any determination letters, communication with the employer, and separation information. Also check what specific issue is being appealed - is it the initial eligibility determination or something else?

I went thru a hearing after collecting benefits & won because i prepared well. My advice is to get ready to explain EXACTLY why the firing wasn't his fault. If the hearing is about willful misconduct, the employer has to prove he deliberately broke rules he knew about. Write down dates, who said what, & any proof the policy wasn't clear. If you can show he didn't knowingly break rules, you should be ok. Bring witnesses if possible. Also make sure to call in 15 mins early to the hearing!

just wondering did ur husband get a new job after being fired??? cus if he didnt report income while getting benefits thats prob why there investigating now. my brother had this happen but it was only like 8 months later not 4 years thats crazy

You absolutely need to attend this hearing no matter what! I missed my hearing because the notice went to my spam folder and PA UC automatically ruled against me. Had to pay back $8,750 plus interest. If you can't connect to the hearing for any reason, call them immediately and document everything. I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at UC to explain my situation. Finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person at PA UC within 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 Seriously, don't miss that hearing date no matter what.

I'm a little confused...how can an employer wait 4 years to appeal? That doesn't sound right. Are you sure this notice is legitimate? There have been a lot of UC scams lately. Double check the contact information and maybe call PA UC directly to verify this is real before panicking.

Regarding whether you need an attorney - it depends on how much is potentially at stake and how comfortable you feel representing yourselves. If the potential overpayment amount is substantial, it might be worth consulting with a free legal aid service that specializes in unemployment issues. Legal Aid of Southeastern PA or Philadelphia Legal Assistance offer free help with UC hearings if you qualify financially. You can also contact the PA Bar Association for a referral to an attorney who handles UC cases. At minimum, I recommend: 1. Writing a clear timeline of employment, termination, and benefit collection 2. Gathering any evidence regarding the company policy that was allegedly violated 3. Preparing a clear, concise explanation of why the termination wasn't due to willful misconduct 4. Documenting all benefit payments received

One more important thing - during the hearing, only answer exactly what the referee asks. Don't volunteer extra info or ramble on. Be polite but stick to facts. The referee will give both sides chance to ask questions. Write down what the employer says so you can address any false claims. And if you win, the employer might appeal again to the Board of Review, so keep all your notes and documents for at least a year after.

btw u should look at ur mail not just email cause sometimes they send important stuff only thru regular mail and if u miss deadlines ur automatically guilty basically

I just went through a hearing last month and won!!! My company tried to say I was fired for cause but I had documentation proving they were lying. Make sure your husband brings ANYTHING that shows his side - texts, emails, employee handbook, performance reviews, ANYTHING. Referees actually do listen if you have evidence.