Information on Protesting a Claim

Topics:

Unemployment

Notice of Claim

You cannot receive unemployment benefits unless you earned a certain minimum amount of wages during the previous year. If we determine that you qualify financially, Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) will send a Notice of Separation form to your most recent employer and to all of the employers you worked for during the Base Period (depending on when you file, the 15 to 18 months before you lost your job). 

Your employer has a right to protest whether you should receive benefits. From the time we send notice of your claim (either through email or through postal mail, if the employer doesn’t yet have an iowaworks.gov account), your former employer will have 10 days to state a reason why your claim should be denied.  

If the employer decides to protest, IWD may arrange a fact-finding interview to determine whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Fact-Finding Interview

IWD will send a notice to you and to your former employer for any scheduled fact-finding interview, which takes place via telephone. The notice will include the scheduled date, time, and the telephone numbers that the fact finder will call. It also will include IWD’s fact-finding telephone and fax numbers. 

We urge you to take part in the fact-finding interview. If either you or the employer fail to participate in the hearing and provide all relevant information, a decision will be made on the available facts. This could lead to your claim being denied. 

If you write or email us about the fact-finding, it will be important to provide identifying information. Please include: 

  • Your name
  • The employer’s name
  • Your Social Security Number
  • The date and time of the scheduled interview 

During the fact-finding interview, an IWD representative will ask both you and your former employer questions and allow both of you to explain your positions on the issue. Both you and the employer will be allowed to present witnesses and evidence. 

Within a few days of the interview, IWD will issue a decision on your eligibility to receive benefits. We will send that decision to both you and your employer.

Appealing a Decision

If either you or your employer disagrees with the decision, you both will have the opportunity to file an appeal. You will receive instructions on how to do this at the same time you receive the decision. 

The appeal may be filed electronically through iowaworks.gov or by mailing a paper document. It must be postmarked or received by IWD within 10 calendar days of the mailing date of the original decision.  

Visit UI Appeals to learn more about the appeal process.