What to expect at PA UC appeal hearing for one denied week? Need to take time off work

I went through an appeal hearing last September for a similar situation. Here's what you can expect: 1. The hearing is pretty formal but not like a court trial. It's usually conducted by a UC referee. 2. It can be done by phone or video conference if you request it - you don't necessarily have to take time off work. Just call the UC service center and ask about remote options. 3. Most hearings last 30-45 minutes, but schedule an hour to be safe. 4. Prepare your evidence - screenshots, emails, anything that proves you did your work search activities. The burden of proof is technically on them, but having your own documentation helps. 5. Speak clearly and stay calm. Stick to facts, don't get emotional. In my experience, the referee was fair, and I won my appeal. For $680, I personally think it's worth fighting for, especially if you know you're in the right.

ya its def not like court i had a hearing last yr and wore jeans lol. the referee person was nice but asked alot of questions. mine took like 20 mins tops

Listen, PA UC appeal hearings are NOTORIOUS for being a complete waste of time. I've been through THREE of them. They schedule you and then make you wait AT LEAST an hour past your appointment time. The referees already have their minds made up before you walk in the door and the whole system is designed to DENY you benefits. For ONE week of pay? Not worth losing a day of work at your new job. If you insist on fighting it, DEMAND a phone hearing. Don't let them railroad you into coming in person. The system is RIGGED against claimants!!! And prepare for a LONG wait even if you win. I won my appeal and it still took 8 WEEKS to get my money!!!

I tried to reach PA UC for weeks about my appeal hearing last month and couldn't get anyone on the phone to answer my questions. Always busy signals or disconnects. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to an agent in 20 minutes who helped me reschedule my hearing to a phone appointment. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2 The agent was super helpful and explained the whole process to me. If you're having trouble getting answers about your hearing options, it might be worth trying.

My cousin had an appeal hearing last year and then when she showed up they told her it was cancelled but nobody bothered to tell her. She lost a whole day of work for nothing. Make sure you call to confirm before taking time off.

Definitely fight for what you're owed! I had a hearing for 2 weeks of benefits and won. Make sure you have all your work search records printed out - the referee will want to see exactly what you submitted and when. Also, be super specific about the "glitch" you mentioned - what exactly happened when you tried to submit? Error message? Page timeout? These details matter. Also wondering - did you get a determination letter before the hearing? It should specify exactly why they denied the week. This helps you prepare your case.

@profile5 i won my appeal! the referee said they see system problems all the time and it wasnt my fault. took about a month to get paid tho

To answer your question about requesting a phone hearing: You should call immediately. The notice usually has a phone number at the top or bottom specifically for rescheduling or changing the format of your hearing. Don't wait - they typically require at least 7 days notice for changes. If you can't get through on the regular UC number (which is common), you can also fax a written request. Include your claim number, the scheduled hearing date, and specifically request a telephone hearing due to work obligations. Also, since your issue involves a system glitch, be sure to mention in your testimony that you've had no other issues with any other weekly certifications - this helps establish a pattern of compliance that strengthens your case.

@profile2 Well, good for you that you had a POSITIVE experience. You're definitely in the MINORITY! PA unemployment is NOTORIOUS for being difficult and most people I know have had TERRIBLE experiences with appeals. OP needs to know the REALITY of what they're getting into!!!

The screenshot of the error message could be very helpful evidence! Make sure to bring it. Also, did you try to contact UC immediately when the error happened? Any record of a call or email about the issue at the time would strengthen your case. For the hearing itself, I suggest writing down a timeline of exactly what happened with dates and times. Referees appreciate organization and it helps you stay on track when you're nervous. Good luck!

Just checking back - were you able to get through to request a phone hearing? If not, seriously consider using Claimyr. I was in the same situation and spent hours trying to get through on the regular line with no luck. With everything riding on this hearing, it's worth considering all options to make sure you can arrange it properly.

That's great news that you got approved for a phone hearing! Since you have the screenshot of the error message, that's solid evidence. I'd also suggest preparing a simple statement about your work search activities for that week - what jobs you applied to, dates, company names, etc. Even if the system didn't capture it, having those details ready shows you were actually doing the work searches. One more tip: during the hearing, be specific about the technical issue. Say something like "The system froze after I clicked submit, and when I logged back in, my work search entries had disappeared even though it showed my certification as complete." Clear, factual language like this helps the referee understand exactly what happened. Good luck with your hearing! Please do update us - these success stories help other people in similar situations.