What to expect at a PA UC appeal hearing - timing and process explained

I went through an appeal hearing last year. The whole process isn't as scary as it sounds. My hearing lasted about 45 minutes, but I've heard they can go anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how complicated your case is. The referee will ask you specific questions about your separation from employment - dates, conversations, documentation, etc. Your former employer will also be on the call. Make sure you have all your documentation ready - emails, texts, termination letter, anything that proves you were laid off rather than quit. They'll give both sides a chance to present their case and ask questions. Be clear, factual, and don't interrupt when others are speaking. You don't absolutely need a lawyer, but if you can afford one, it might help. At minimum, write down your timeline of events so you don't get flustered during the hearing.

my hearing took like 3 hrs!!! the employer had a lawyer and i didnt. but i still won bc i had proof they fired me without cause. have all ur stuff ready and dates written down. they ask ALOT of questions

PA UC appeal hearings typically follow a structured format. Here's what to expect: 1. The referee will explain the procedure and swear everyone in 2. Both parties will present their cases and evidence 3. You'll testify about why you believe you were laid off, not quit 4. Your employer will present their side 5. Both sides can ask questions of each other 6. The referee may ask clarifying questions Prepare by gathering any documentation that supports your claim - emails about layoffs, termination notices, text messages, etc. The referee will focus on the facts around your separation. Hearings usually take 45-90 minutes, but can be shorter or longer depending on complexity. You'll typically receive a decision within 7-14 days by mail. You don't need a lawyer, but having one can be helpful if your case is complex. If you can't afford one, contact legal aid in your area as many offer free help with UC appeals.

I remember when I had my hearing back in 2019, I was so nervous I could barely sleep the night before! But it turned out fine. Just stick to the facts and don't get emotional even if your employer says things that aren't true. The referee just wants to hear what actually happened.

When I had my appeal hearing, I waited on hold for 45 minutes before it even started because they were running behind. Then my former boss tried claiming I was fired for attendance when actually they reduced my hours until I couldn't pay bills. The whole thing was about 1 hour once it actually started. One thing nobody mentioned - PA UC appeal hearings ARE recorded. The referee will tell you this at the beginning. Also, if you need to reschedule for any reason, do it ASAP. They're very strict about showing up on time. I kept getting disconnected when trying to call PA UC about questions before my hearing. After getting frustrated with constant busy signals, I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual agent in about 30 minutes instead of days of calling. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2. It was worth it to get my questions answered before the hearing.

Yes, it's legitimate. I was skeptical too but was desperate after trying for days. They basically wait on hold for you and then call you when they get an agent. Saved me hours of frustration.

Thank you all for the advice! I've started organizing my emails and texts to prove I was laid off. I'm feeling a bit less nervous now that I know what to expect. I think I'll try calling UC directly first to ask about my specific case, but if I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service. I'll update after my hearing next month!

To answer your earlier question - no, you don't need a prepared opening statement. The referee will guide the whole process and tell you when to speak. Just answer questions clearly and truthfully. And yes, taking notes during the hearing is a good idea in case you need to reference something said earlier. Good luck!

dont forget to check ur mailbox everyday after!! sometimes they send the decision fast but mine took like 3 weeks and i almost missed the letter lol

One more important tip: keep filing your weekly claims during the entire appeal process. If you win your appeal, you'll only be paid for weeks you properly certified. Many people stop filing while waiting for their appeal and then can't get those weeks paid retroactively.

Just wanted to add that you should also prepare for the possibility that your employer might bring up things that seem unrelated to your layoff. In my hearing, my former employer started talking about minor issues from months before I was laid off, trying to make it seem like I was a problem employee. Don't let this throw you off - stay focused on the facts around your actual separation date and the reason you were told you were being let go. The referee will keep things on track, but it's good to be mentally prepared for this tactic. Also, if you have any coworkers who witnessed the layoff conversation or can verify the company was having layoffs, see if they'd be willing to be a witness on the call. Sometimes having someone else corroborate your story can make a big difference.

I had my PA UC appeal hearing about 6 months ago and won! A few practical tips that really helped me: 1) Write down a simple timeline with dates before the hearing - when you were hired, any performance reviews, the exact date and circumstances of your layoff. 2) If possible, find your employee handbook or any company policies about layoffs vs terminations. 3) Stay calm if the employer's representative tries to interrupt you - the referee will handle that. 4) If you don't understand a question, it's totally okay to ask for clarification. The referee wants to get to the truth, not trick you. 5) Speak clearly since it's by phone - they may ask you to repeat something if the connection is bad. You've got this! The fact that you have documentation puts you in a good position. Most of these hearings are pretty straightforward when you stick to the facts.

I just wanted to add something that helped me tremendously during my PA UC appeal hearing last fall. If you have any written communication from your employer about the layoff - even something as simple as a text message from your supervisor saying "sorry about the layoffs" or an email mentioning company-wide cuts - make sure to reference it specifically during the hearing. I had a brief email from HR about "workforce reductions" that I almost didn't think was important, but it ended up being the key piece of evidence that convinced the referee I was laid off rather than quit. Also, don't worry if your employer has a more polished presentation or even legal representation. The referee is trained to cut through corporate speak and get to the actual facts. In my case, the company rep kept using vague language like "mutual separation" and "performance concerns," but when I presented my straightforward timeline with specific dates and the actual words my manager used ("we have to let you go due to budget cuts"), it was pretty clear what really happened. One last thing - if you get a decision in your favor, don't be surprised if your employer appeals to the next level. Mine did, but I won that too because the facts didn't change. Stay strong and stick to your truth!