I went through something very similar in PA about two years ago. My advice would be to file your UC claim immediately based on your 15-year employer shutting down - don't wait any longer. Even though you're working now, you can still establish that claim and potentially get partial benefits since your new pay is significantly lower. Regarding quitting, PA is pretty strict about voluntary separations, but you might have a case if you can prove the job was misrepresented. The key is documentation - start keeping records now of everything that's different from what they promised during the interview. Save the original job posting if you still have it, and document specific examples of how your actual duties differ from what was described. The 90-minute commute each way could actually work in your favor if it wasn't disclosed upfront. PA has recognized excessive commute times as compelling reasons in some cases, especially when it creates financial hardship (gas, wear on your car, etc.) or interferes with your ability to maintain employment. My suggestion: file the UC claim now, document everything for 2-3 weeks while you're getting partial benefits, then if conditions don't improve, you'll have a much stronger case for quitting with good cause. Don't suffer in silence - the system does have protections for situations like yours, but you need to work within the rules.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - left a job after 12 years due to company downsizing, took the first thing I could find, and it's been a nightmare. What I've learned from my research and talking to a PA UC rep is that timing is everything here. You should absolutely file your initial claim RIGHT NOW based on your 15-year employer shutdown. Don't wait another day. Even though you're working, you can establish that benefit year and potentially get partial benefits if your new wages are significantly lower than your benefit amount would be. As for quitting the new job, you'll need rock-solid documentation to prove "good cause." Start TODAY: - Save the original job posting and your interview notes - Document every way the job differs from what was promised (duties, schedule flexibility, etc.) - Keep a daily log of your commute times and costs - If there are safety issues or workplace problems, report them in writing and keep copies The 90-minute each way commute could actually be your strongest argument, especially if it wasn't disclosed during hiring. PA has ruled that excessive commutes can be compelling reasons to quit, particularly when they create financial hardship or weren't part of the original offer. My advice: File that claim today, work the system properly with partial benefits while you document everything, then reassess in a few weeks. You've got options - you just need to be strategic about it.

Hey there! I'm new to this community but wanted to jump in with some encouragement since I went through a vacate and remand situation about 2 months ago. Everyone here is absolutely right - this is fantastic news for you! The Board identified clear issues with your original hearing, which is why they're giving you a fresh start. My timeline was almost identical to what others have shared: got the hearing notice after about 4 weeks, then the actual hearing was scheduled 3 weeks later. One thing I learned that might help: when you organize your evidence, create a simple cover sheet that lists each document with a brief description and date. It helps keep everything clear during the hearing and shows you're well-prepared. Also, if you have any company-wide communications about the restructuring (like all-hands emails or announcements), those can be really powerful since they show your layoff was part of a broader business decision. Since you mentioned having those restructuring emails you didn't submit before, definitely include them this time! And don't worry about the employer trying to focus on your previous comments about company direction - just stay focused on the actual facts of your separation and the documentation you have proving it was a layoff. I know the 3+ months without income is incredibly stressful, but based on everything you've described, you have strong evidence and you're in a much better position now. Keep filing those weekly claims and stay confident - you've got this!

Welcome to the community! I'm new here but wanted to share some encouragement since I'm currently going through a very similar situation. I got my vacate and remand order about 3 weeks ago after my employer falsely claimed I resigned when I was actually part of a workforce reduction. Reading through all these responses has been so helpful and reassuring! It sounds like you have really strong evidence with those restructuring emails and documentation. One thing I'm planning to do for my upcoming hearing is create a simple timeline document that shows the sequence of events leading up to my separation, with references to specific evidence for each key point. Since you mentioned you have emails about the restructuring that you didn't submit before, those could be game-changers! I'm in a similar boat - I found some additional company communications about the layoffs after my first hearing that I wish I had included originally. The wait times everyone has mentioned (4-5 weeks for hearing notice, then 3 weeks to hearing) are really helpful for planning. I know the financial stress is overwhelming - I'm dealing with the same thing after being without income for over 2 months now. But based on all the success stories shared here and the fact that you have actual documentation proving the restructuring, it sounds like you're in a really solid position. Keep filing those weekly claims and stay organized with your evidence. We've got this!

I had my RESEA appointment last month and want to ease your anxiety - it's really not as scary as it seems! I was in your exact situation, doing all my job searching through Indeed and company websites with zero CareerLink activity. Here's what worked for me: I created a simple document listing each week with my 3+ job search activities, including company name, position, date applied, and method (Indeed, LinkedIn, company website, etc.). I also brought screenshots of my application confirmations and a few email receipts. The interviewer was actually really understanding and said they see this all the time - they just want proof you're actively searching, regardless of the platform. They helped me register for CareerLink during the appointment (took about 10 minutes) but emphasized it was just to give me access to additional resources, not because my other methods weren't valid. The whole appointment was more like a helpful coaching session than an interrogation. You're clearly putting in the effort, so just organize what you have and you'll do great on Monday! Bring your ID, resume, and any job search documentation you can pull together. Good luck!

I just wanted to jump in and say this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm scheduled for my first RESEA appointment next month and was starting to get anxious about it after hearing horror stories from friends. Reading everyone's actual experiences here - especially the recent ones - makes it sound much more manageable than I was expecting. I've been doing most of my job searching through Indeed and ZipRecruiter, so it's really reassuring to know that's totally acceptable documentation. I'm definitely going to start keeping better organized records now using some of the spreadsheet and folder ideas people shared. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences - this community is awesome for helping each other navigate the PA UC system!

I just wanted to say how incredibly grateful I am for this entire thread! I got my RESEA selection email three days ago and have been spiraling with anxiety ever since. Reading through everyone's detailed, real-world experiences has completely changed my perspective from panic to actually feeling prepared and even a little optimistic. The consistent theme across all your stories - that it's genuinely helpful career coaching rather than a benefits investigation - is so reassuring. I've been keeping my work search records but pretty informally, so I'm going to spend this weekend organizing everything into a spreadsheet format like several of you suggested. What really stands out to me is how many of you mentioned getting valuable resources, job leads, networking opportunities, or even free certification courses that you didn't know existed. That makes me realize I should go into this thinking about what I want to improve in my job search rather than just worrying about having the "right" documentation. I'm definitely going to test my tech setup beforehand, prepare some thoughtful questions about my field, and update my LinkedIn profile. Most importantly, I'm going to remember that they want to help me succeed, not catch me doing something wrong. Thank you all for taking the time to share such detailed experiences - this thread should honestly be the first thing anyone sees when they get selected for RESEA. You've turned what felt like a scary interrogation into what I now see as a free career consultation opportunity!

I completed my RESEA meeting just two weeks ago and wanted to add my experience to this amazing thread! Like everyone else, I was terrified when I got that selection email, but reading through similar discussions online (though none as detailed as this one!) helped me prepare mentally. My meeting lasted exactly one hour and the counselor was incredibly professional and supportive. What really impressed me was how much she knew about current job market trends in my field - she pointed out that many companies in my area were shifting to hybrid work arrangements and suggested I highlight my remote work capabilities on applications. One thing I'll add that I don't think anyone mentioned - she asked about my transportation situation and whether that was limiting my job search radius. Turns out there are some resources available to help with job-related transportation costs if that's a barrier, which I had no idea about. I was assigned a workshop called "Salary Negotiation Strategies" through CareerLink with a 3-week deadline. Just completed it yesterday and honestly learned techniques I wish I'd known years ago! The key takeaway from my experience matches everyone else's - go in with an open mind, be honest about your efforts, and treat it like getting free career coaching from someone who genuinely wants to help you succeed. The program really does live up to its name as a "reemployment assistance" rather than a compliance check. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - these real experiences are so much more valuable than the vague official information!

I had this same issue last year and actually gave up trying to change it after calling for weeks. Just a heads up - you might want to set aside about 10-15% of what you're getting now for taxes. I ended up using TurboTax and there's a specific section for unemployment income where you enter the total from your 1099-G form. It was painful but at least I was prepared for it.

I went through this exact same nightmare! After weeks of trying to call, I finally got through using the callback feature on the PA UC website - you can request a callback instead of waiting on hold. It took about 3 days for them to call me back, but when they did, the agent changed my tax withholding in under 5 minutes. Just a heads up though - they can only change it going forward, so I still had to deal with owing taxes on the first few months of benefits I'd already received. I ended up having to do quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties. The whole system is so frustrating, but at least once you get it changed, you don't have to worry about it anymore!