Defending Your Right to Unemployment Benefits

Secure an Unemployment Appeal Lawyer in Lehighton

You've lost your job, and now the state has denied your unemployment claim, accused you of misconduct, or demanded repayment of benefits you thought were rightfully yours. Unemployment compensation appeals in Lehighton involve strict procedures, tight deadlines, and hearings where your eligibility and your version of events are scrutinized. The Law Office of Kim M. Gillen represents clients appealing denials, overpayment notices, and benefit reductions, explaining eligibility rules and separation issues under Pennsylvania law. You'll hear the quiet tap of keys as testimony is prepared, the rustle of documents being organized for the referee hearing, and the firm's clear breakdown of what misconduct allegations really mean and how to respond.

The firm works with Lehighton residents who lost jobs due to layoffs, disputes with management, or alleged rule violations, helping you prepare testimony and documents that tell your side of the story. Whether you were terminated for attendance, performance, or a conflict with your employer, the firm focuses on presenting a clear, organized case that supports your eligibility or protects you against repayment demands. Unemployment hearings are your chance to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses, and the firm makes sure you're ready for that moment.

Book your consultation today to discuss your unemployment compensation appeal in Lehighton.

How Does Unemployment Compensation Work in Lehighton?

Pennsylvania requires claimants to be unemployed through no fault of their own, able to work, available for work, and actively seeking new employment. If your employer contests your claim by alleging willful misconduct—such as violating a known company policy, failing a drug test, or refusing a reasonable work assignment—you'll receive a determination notice and have fifteen days to file an appeal. The appeal triggers a telephone or in-person hearing before a referee, where both you and your employer present testimony and documents.

Clients can expect to answer questions about the circumstances of their separation, the employer's policies, and their efforts to find new work. The Law Office of Kim M. Gillen helps you prepare testimony that addresses the referee's concerns, challenges employer claims that lack supporting evidence, and presents a clear, organized case that supports your eligibility. If the referee rules against you, the firm handles appeals to the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review and, if necessary, to Commonwealth Court.

Overpayment notices arise when the state later determines you weren't eligible for benefits you received—often due to employer appeals that succeed months after you've collected payments. The firm focuses on protecting you against repayment demands by challenging the underlying determination or negotiating manageable repayment terms.

Call (484) 613-0011 now for professional unemployment compensation representation in Lehighton.

Unemployment cases raise questions about eligibility, misconduct definitions, and the appeal process. These answers address the concerns most often raised by individuals facing benefit disputes in Lehighton and surrounding areas.

What's Included in This Service

Willful misconduct involves deliberate or reckless violations of employer rules that harm the employer's interests. Simple mistakes, poor performance, or attendance issues that aren't deliberate usually don't meet this standard.
What does willful misconduct mean in Pennsylvania?
You have 15 days from the date on the determination notice to file an appeal. Missing this deadline can forfeit your right to challenge the denial, so you should act immediately after receiving the notice in Lehighton.
How quickly do I need to file an appeal?
If you were initially approved and then benefits were stopped, you may continue receiving benefits during the appeal if you meet certain conditions. If your claim was denied from the start, benefits won't begin until you win the appeal.
Can I still receive benefits while my appeal is pending?
Bring termination letters, emails or texts with your employer, attendance records, job descriptions, and names of witnesses who can support your testimony. Organized documentation strengthens your case and helps counter the employer's version of events.
What documents should I bring to my unemployment hearing?
You can appeal to the Unemployment Compensation Board of Review and, if necessary, to Commonwealth Court. The firm can guide you through these additional appeal levels and assess the strength of your case at each stage.
What happens if I lose my appeal?

Unemployment benefits provide critical support while you search for new work, and losing them over a disputed termination or overpayment notice can derail your finances. The firm prepares you to present your case clearly and respond to employer allegations with facts and testimony that protect your eligibility. Plan your consultation now to discuss your unemployment compensation case in Lehighton.