How Do I Appeal an Unemployment Decision?

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.

Learn more about the appeal process

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

Iowa Workforce Development website Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing