Both employers and claimants have the right to appeal a decision on unemployment insurance (UI) benefits following a fact-finding.
An unemployment insurance appeal is a formal process of presenting testimony to Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) administrative law judge (ALJ).
The appeal must be postmarked or received within 10 calendar days from the date stated on the decision.
All proceedings before DIA's UI Appeals Bureau are open to the public. Therefore, documents submitted are subject to public record.
Hearings: Appeal hearings are conducted via telephone conference call unless there is a written request for an in-person hearing.
Unemployment Appeal Process
First-Level Appeal
File your unemployment appeal online or by completing the printed appeal form and mailing it, along with any correspondence or exhibits, to the Department of Inspections and Appeals/Unemployment Insurance Appeals Bureau.
Once a claim is appealed, a formal hearing will be scheduled with an ALJ.
Second-Level Appeal
If either the employer or claimant disagree with the ALJ’s decision, it may be appealed to the Employment Appeal Board (EAB).
File a second-level appeal online or mail the appeal to the Employment Appeal Board. The appeal must be postmarked within 15 calendar days from the mailing date of the ALJ’s decision.
If an employer or claimant disagrees with the EAB decision, additional appeals are possible, including to Iowa District Court.
Related Agencies and Services
Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (Unemployment Insurance Appeals and Labor Division Section)
Address:
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321
Labor Division: (515) 242-5870
Labor Division Wage Section: (515) 725-5619
Unemployment Insurance Appeals - Fax: (515) 478-3528
Unemployment Insurance Appeals - In Iowa: (800) 532-1483
Unemployment Insurance Appeals - Outside Iowa: (800) 247-5205
Iowa Workforce Development (Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Tax)
Address:
1000 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319
Unemployment Insurance Benefits: (866) 239-0843
Unemployment Insurance Tax: (888) 848-7442