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Appeal your unemployment benefits decision

If you were denied unemployment benefits, you have the right to appeal. Learn how to file an appeal.
Appeals must be filed within 10 days of the mailing date on the determination letter.
Appeal your unemployment benefits decision online 

Contacts

DUA Hearings Department

Phone

Boston office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Boston office: at (617) 626-5200
Lawrence office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Lawrence office: at (978) 738-4400
Brockton office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Brockton office: at (508) 894-4777
Springfield office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Springfield office: at (413) 452-4700

The Details

What you need

If you were denied unemployment benefits, you can file an appeal online or by mail. When you submit your request, you can:

  • Choose your preferred hearing method (phone, virtual, or in-person)
  • Request an interpreter
  • Upload supporting documents

Filing deadline

Appeals must be filed within 10 days of the mailing date on the determination letter. If you file after the deadline:

  • If the request is submitted within 30 days, it may be approved if there was a good reason for the delay
  • In very limited circumstances, DUA may approve an appeal submitted after 30 days
  • If your request is denied, you can appeal that decision in your Unemployment Services for Workers account

How to appeal

  1. Log in to your Unemployment Services for Workers account
  2. From your dashboard, select "File an appeal"
  3. Follow the prompts to answer questions about you, your attorney or representative (if necessary), and your witnesses (if necessary) 

There are 2 ways to file your appeal by mail: 

  • Complete the Appeal Request Information Form included in your Notice of Disqualification (if it was mailed to you), or
  • Write a letter asking for an appeal. Include:
    • The reason you disagree with the decision
    • Your phone number
    • Your claimant ID
    • Your signature

Mail the completed form or letter to:

Department of Unemployment Assistance
Hearings Department
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114 

Next steps

  1. Look for notices from DUA

    You’ll get two notices from DUA: Confirmation of your appeal and Notice of Hearing. Both include important information about how to prepare for your hearing.

  2. Get ready for your hearing

    As soon as possible, start getting ready for your hearing. You may want to hire a lawyer, contact witnesses, and collect documents that support your appeal.

    Get ready for an unemployment benefits appeal hearing 

Contact

Address
Boston Regional Hearings Office
2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111
Directions 
Northeast Regional Hearings Office
360 Merrimack St., Bldg 9, Entry I, Suite 327, Lawrence, MA 01843
Directions 
Southeast Regional Hearings Office
226 Main St, Brockton, MA 02301
Directions 
West/Central Regional Hearings Office
88 Industry Avenue, Springfield, MA 01104
Directions 
Phone
Boston office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Boston office: at (617) 626-5200
Lawrence office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Lawrence office: at (978) 738-4400
Brockton office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Brockton office: at (508) 894-4777
Springfield office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Springfield office: at (413) 452-4700

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