PA UC retroactively disqualified my 2020 gig worker claim - facing huge overpayment

This is happening a lot with gig workers from the pandemic period. The important thing is to file that appeal IMMEDIATELY. Don't wait until the 15th day or you'll lose your right to appeal. They're doing these mass reviews of old pandemic claims and many people are getting hit with these notices. When you file the appeal, request a hearing and clearly explain that you provided all requested documentation at the time of your original claim. Do you still have copies of what you submitted back then?

OMG THEY CANT JUST DO THIS TO PEOPLE!!! i got the SAME THING last month!!! $9,700 they say i owe now??? for WHAT??? we were TOLD to apply! the government SAID we qualified! this is such BS i swear the system is designed to screw over regular people. im fighting mine too but the lady i talked to basically said 'too bad so sad' when i called

Something similar happened to a friend. What was your disqualification code? That tells you the specific reason they're saying you didn't qualify. It should be on the determination letter - usually something like A2 or B7.

I've been helping several clients with these pandemic-era disqualifications. Here's what you need to know: 1. File your appeal online through your PA UC dashboard immediately 2. Request a hearing (telephone hearings are easier to manage) 3. Gather ANY documentation you still have from that period - tax forms, 1099s, payment statements 4. Write a clear statement explaining why you believe you qualified under the rules AT THAT TIME 5. If you can't find your documentation, request copies from the rideshare company Many of these retroactive disqualifications are happening because PA UC is applying current standards to pandemic-era claims. The rules were different then, and your appeal should emphasize that you met the criteria as explained at that time.

If your getting the runaround trying to talk to someone at the UC office try Claimyr. It got me through to a real person in about 30 minutes after I spent days getting busy signals. They basically call for you and then connect you when they get through. Saved my sanity when I was dealing with a similar situation. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2

I know this might not be what you want to hear, but even if you lose the appeal, you can request a payment plan. I was in a similar boat (although it was regular UC not pandemic) and they let me pay like $50 a month. Better than nothing I guess...

wait im confused are we talking about PUA or regular unemployment? because PUA was seprate from UC right? or am i misremembering. i thought gig workers couldnt get regular UC but could get PUA during pandemic? maybe thats why there disqualifing you now?

When you file your appeal, be very specific about what documentation you provided in 2020. Include dates if possible. The more detailed you can be, the better your chances. Also, request all records they have on file through a Right to Know request - sometimes they actually have the documentation but it wasn't properly reviewed.

Good job filing the appeal! Currently, hearing schedules are running about 4-6 weeks out. You should receive a notice with the exact date and time by mail. In the meantime, keep trying to locate any documentation you can. Also important: the overpayment collection should be paused while your appeal is pending, so you don't need to make payments yet.

My sister works for a law firm that sometimes handles these cases. She said a lot of gig workers are winning these appeals because the documentation requirements weren't clearly communicated during the pandemic. The unemployment system was completely overwhelmed and gave conflicting information. Document that in your appeal too!

After you used Claimyr to reach someone, be sure to ask them specifically about a "financial hardship waiver" for the overpayment. If you can prove paying it back would cause financial hardship, they sometimes waive part or all of it. But they don't volunteer this information unless you specifically ask!

That's great news! Now you know exactly what to focus on for your appeal. Look for any 2020 tax documents that show your rideshare income was your primary source. Bank statements showing regular deposits from the rideshare companies could help too. The more documentation the better.