First-Level Appeal: Administrative Law Judge
Both the employer and the claimant have the right to appeal a fact-finding unemployment insurance (UI) decision and present testimony to a Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) administrative law judge (ALJ). Unlike the fact-finding interview, an appeal hearing is a formal process where all parties are sworn in and the hearing is recorded. The appeal must be postmarked or received within 10 calendar days from the date stated on the decision. If the 10th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday then the appeal period is extended to the next working day.
Proceedings before DIA's UI Appeals Bureau are open to the public and documents submitted are public records. This means that the public has access to the hearings, decisions, exhibits, transcripts and recordings without prior notice. DIA's UI Appeals Decisions are posted online and are matters of public record.
Appeal hearings are conducted by telephone conference call unless a written request for an in-person hearing is received. The party requesting the in-person hearing must travel to the IowaWORKS Center closest to the other party. In-person hearings may delay both the scheduled hearing and decision. There are 15 IowaWORKS Centers where in-person hearings are held.
How to File a First-Level Appeal
An appeal can be filed online or by completing the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Form and mailing it, along with any correspondence or exhibits, to:
Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals
Administrative Hearings Division
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Bureau
Wallace State Office Building | 502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Written appeals should include:
- date of UI decision and reference number on the decision
- claimant's name, address and social security number
- employer's name, address and account number
- statement that the claimant or employer is appealing the decision
- reason for appealing
- if an interpreter is needed, and if so, the language required
For assistance with filing an appeal or general appeal questions, contact the UI Appeals Bureau:
Toll-free in Iowa: 800-532-1483
Toll-free outside of Iowa: 800-247-5205
Des Moines local: 515-281-3747
Fax: 515-478-3528
Email: helpuiappeals@dia.iowa.gov
What to Expect from the Hearing
Once a claim is appealed, a formal hearing will be scheduled with an ALJ. A notice for a telephone hearing requires the parties to call in to the toll free number listed on the notice of hearing. You may call in no more than 5 minutes before your hearing. You are not the organizer of the hearing - do not press 2. Once on the line, wait for the ALJ to begin the hearing.
Warning: The Administrative Law Judge WILL NOT call you for the hearing, you MUST call into the number provided above to participate. Failure to participate in the hearing may result in the dismissal of your appeal.
If you are unable to participate in the appeal hearing as scheduled, please submit a written request to postpone the hearing to the Appeals Bureau at least three days prior to the scheduled hearing. Written submissions may be made via fax, email, or regular mail. The appeal hearing will be postponed only for good cause. The request for a postponement should be made at least three days before the hearing.
Unlike the fact-finding interview, an appeal hearing is a formal process where all parties and witnesses are sworn in and the hearing is recorded. The ALJ will take new statements concerning the issue even if a statement was already given at the fact-finding interview. Either party may submit additional evidence at the hearing, so participation is important. If a claimant or employer chooses to hire an attorney to attend the hearing, the claimant or employer will be responsible to pay the full expenses of the attorney. For additional information about what to expect during the appeal hearing, review the instructions on the back of the hearing notice.
The ALJ's final decision will be mailed to the parties as soon as possible after the hearing. The decision will state the important facts of the case, the legal conclusions and reasons for the decision and an order stating the result of the decision. The decision may disqualify the claimant from receiving UI benefits or may allow the claimant UI benefits that may be chargeable to the employer.
If the outcome of your appeal disqualifies you for regular unemployment and you were directed to file an application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, click here. You will need the reference number you were provided during the appeal hearing in order to submit the application.
Second-Level Appeal: Employment Appeal Board
If either the employer or claimant disagree with the ALJ’s decision, it may be appealed to the Employment Appeal Board (EAB). The EAB is part of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals located in the Lucas State Office Building.
How to File a Second-Level Appeal
A second-level appeal can be filed online at https://eab.iowa.gov or mailed, along with any correspondence or exhibits, to:
Employment Appeal Board
Lucas State Office Building
Fourth Floor
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Please Note: The appeal must be postmarked within 15 calendar days from the mailing date of the ALJ’s decision. All parties will receive a CD of the ALJ’s hearing recording and will be given an opportunity to submit a written summary of their side. The EAB does not hold hearings. The board decides each case by reviewing all the evidence that was presented to the ALJ. The board may:
- affirm or reverse the ALJ’s decision
- send the case back to the ALJ for further review
- order a new hearing and decision if the evidence in the ALJ’s hearing is not sufficient or incomplete
It usually takes 45 to 75 days from the date the appeal is filed to receive the EAB decision. If an employer or claimant disagrees with the EAB decision, a petition may be filed for judicial review in Iowa District Court or request a rehearing before the EAB. The procedure and appeal deadlines are provided on the EAB decision.