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- This page, Appeal your unemployment benefits decision, is offered by
- Department of Unemployment Assistance
Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
Contacts
DUA Hearings Department
Phone
The Details of Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
What you need for Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
You must continue to request benefits while your appeal is pending in order to receive payment for those weeks if you win your appeal.
How to appeal Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
1. Once you have logged into your UI Online account, click on View and Maintain Account Information.
2. Click on Monetary and Issue Summary.
3. Click on the Issue Identification Number hyperlink that is associated with the Issue Type that you want to appeal.
4. Click the File Appeal radio button.
5. Read information about the appeal process and click Next.
6. Confirm contact information and hearing details and click Next.
7. Submit Appeal .
There are 2 ways to appeal the decision by mail:
- Complete the Appeal Request Information Form that was mailed to you with your Notice of Disqualification or
- Write a letter asking for an appeal. Include your:
- Phone number
- Claimant ID
- Signature
Send your completed form or letter to:
Department of Unemployment Assistance
Hearings Department
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
Next steps for Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
-
Once your request is received
When we receive your request, we will send you 2 letters, either electronically or by U.S. Mail, depending on the method you selected when you filed your claim for benefits. The first letter is sent immediately to confirm we received your appeal request. The second letter (Notice of Hearing) is sent when we schedule the hearing. The Notice of Hearing will:
- Give you notice of the time and date of your hearing
- Let you know if the hearing is in-person or by phone (if by phone, we will include a phone number and a PIN)
- Give you instructions on how to prepare for your hearing
How to prepare for your hearing
The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) offers the following tips to prepare for a hearing:
- Gather any documents that will support your facts in this case, such as:
- Attendance records
- Payroll records
- Pay stubs, correspondence (emails or letters)
- Work documents
- Employee evaluations
- Performance warnings
- Bring all relevant documents to the hearing with a copy for the review examiner and a copy for the other party. If your hearing will be held by phone, we will send you instructions on how to submit documents prior to the hearing.
- If you want to introduce evidence in an electronic format, you need to contact the Regional Hearings Office as soon as possible
- If you plan to have witnesses testify on your behalf, you should identify and contact them as early as possible to request their participation at the hearing
After the hearing
The person in charge of the hearing (the review examiner) will determine whether or not you’re eligible to receive benefits. The Hearings Department makes every effort to send the written decision of the review examiner within 2-4 weeks after the hearing is over. When the decision is made, you’ll be sent a written decision either electronically or by U.S. Mail, based on the method you selected.
If you disagree with the review examiner’s decision
You may appeal to the Board of Review.
More info for Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
Hearings Department procedures
In order to determine the facts of the case and make a fair decision, you will be assigned to an impartial review examiner who has no knowledge of the case aside from reading the file documents. This impartiality ensures that all parties have a fair hearing with an adequate opportunity to present relevant testimony and documents.
If you miss the 10 day deadline to file your appeal
If you miss the deadline, you may still ask for an appeal. We will review your request and decide if there was a valid reason (good cause) for the delay. If you had a valid reason, we will approve your request and give you a hearing date. Otherwise, we will deny your request for the appeal, and you will have the right to appeal the denial.
You have the right to have a lawyer
If you want a lawyer at your hearing, you must find and hire someone as soon as possible. To find a lawyer, you may contact your local bar association or a legal advocacy organization. We’ll provide you with contact information for legal assistance organizations when you file an appeal. You can also find the same information under the Downloads section at the bottom of this page.
Approval of attorney's fees
If you are a claimant and you hire an attorney to represent you in a DUA matter, your attorney must submit a request for approval of attorney’s fees before your attorney can bill you. Please note that the Hearings Department and the Board of Review have separate processes for reviewing fee approval requests.
- Request attorney fee approval from the Department of Unemployment Assistance
- Request attorney fee approval from the Board of Review
Important note
The information presented on this site is not legal advice. It should not replace advice from a lawyer. Reference to any specific organizations, attorneys, law firms, corporations, or websites does not constitute DUA's endorsement or recommendation.
Downloads for Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
Open PDF file, 230.57 KB, Legal Assistance (English, PDF 230.57 KB)Contact for Appeal your unemployment benefits decision
Address
DUA Hearings Department, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, MA 02111Phone
Lawrence office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Lawrence office: at (978) 738-4400Brockton office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Brockton office: at (508) 894-4777Springfield office: Call DUA Hearings Department, Springfield office: at (413) 452-4700Related
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