If you are denied, you can begin the appeal process by initially sending in an Unemployment Appeal letter. Now note, this letter is simply a request for your case to be put on the docket for an actual unemployment hearing. The letter itself is not where you begin battling the legal case for the benefits, it is simply to state that you disagree with the initial denial, and are requesting to receive the appeal hearing. Usually those hearings are to be within 30 days of being put on the docket, but that time can be longer depending on the number of appeals on the book in your area.
The appeal letter should be short and sweet, with little to no real details of your legal case to come. Anything you reveal in this letter may provide information that can be used against you by the assigned case worker. Even if you feel you have not tipped your hand, almost any real appeal information or details you provide may in fact provide a starting point for the case worker to search and find details in building a better case against you. Wait until you reach the actual appeal hearing before laying any of your cards on the table.
While you are in that waiting phase, it is important that you continue to file your weekly unemployment claims still, so that when/if you win the appeal, all of those funds will be released to you.
Unfortunately there is no real way to fully prepare for what might come up during the hearing, as each situation is so different. Each case gets investigated fairly thoroughly on a case by case basis by the unemployment claims department, and the outcome is often unpredictable. Because of this, as mentioned before, it is always a better idea to have legal representation representing you to appeal the case and present the information within the proper legal guidelines of your state.
One writer, with years on the job of dealing with unemployment appeals, had this to say about the whole process:
The unemployment appeals process is just another step in the unemployment insurance system that relies on individuals ignorance to control receipt of benefits.
That's easy to do if you tell them they don't need help through the process because it's designed to be fair, impartial and easy without the need for representation.
The truth is .. some cases are straightforward .. and some are filled with the deception and subterfuge to veil what was really happening that led to a termination of employment.
It all depends on the people involved and the circumstances they shared an experience in.Have you even been denied unemployment benefits and had to go through the appeals process? Share your experience with the appeal process and any insight you may wish to disclose in the comment section below.
Jeff McCormack resides in Virginia Beach, VA. where he works as a web designer by day. In his off time he is a husband, father, mail order book store manager, and musician. Aside from being a freelance writer for this Utilities Jobsite blog, he also seeks to assist in career choices and information by contributing to other Nexxt blog sites.
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