Non-Monetary Issues

Table of Contents

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Protested Claim

Any employers you've worked for in the last 18 months may be charged for the benefits you receive. Because of this, employers can protest your claim to avoid these charges. They must protest within 10 calendar days after receiving the notice of your claim. Claims are automatically protested if you say you were fired or quit your most recent job. 

Fact-Finding Interview

If your unemployment claim is protested, a fact-finding interview may be scheduled by phone. Both you and your employer will receive a notice with the date, time, and phone number for the interview, along with instructions on what to do if the phone number is wrong. Not participating in the interview could result in a denial of benefits. 

After the interview, you and your employer will receive an eligibility decision letter. Either party can appeal the decision, and appeal instructions are included on the back of the letter. 

You must still file weekly claims until the fact-finding process is complete. If you're eligible but haven't filed weekly claims, your claim won't be backdated, and you won't receive benefits for any week you didn't file. 

Appeal Process

First-Level Appeal – Administrative Law Judge

Both you and the employer can appeal the fact-finding decision and present testimony to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The appeal must be postmarked or received by the deadline listed in the decision, or you may lose your right to appeal. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the appeal period is extended to the next business day. 

Online Appeal

To access and submit an online appeal form, visit the  and provide the requested information. A written appeal can be mailed to:

To submit an online appeal, visit the Unemployment Appeals Form and provide the requested information. A written appeal can be mailed to: 

Iowa Workforce Development
Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Administrative Hearings Division 
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Bureau  
6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, East Entrance  
Des Moines, IA 50321 

The written appeal should include: 

  • Your name, address and SSN
  • Date of the decision
  • Reason for appealing
  • Hearing preference (telephone or in-person)
  • Language for interpreter, if needed

Contact the Appeals Bureau for assistance: 

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 will be mailed to your last known address. The notice provides the date and time of hearing and a toll- free number for you to call to participate in the hearing. 

Warning: The Administrative Law Judge WILL NOT call you for the hearing. You MUST call the number provided in the notice to participate. Failure to participate in the hearing may result in the dismissal of your appeal. 

If you can't attend the appeal hearing as scheduled, submit a written request to postpone it to the Appeals Bureau at least three days in advance. You can send the request via fax, email, or regular mail. The appeal hearing will only be postponed for good cause.  

An appeal hearing is a formal process, unlike the fact-finding interview. All parties and witnesses are sworn in, and the hearing is recorded. The ALJ will hear new statements about the issue, even if a statement was given during the fact-finding interview. Both parties can submit additional evidence at the hearing, so it’s important to participate. If a claimant or employer hires an attorney, they will be responsible for covering the attorney's expenses. For more details on 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 both parties after the hearing. It will include the key facts, legal conclusions, reasons for the decision, and the result. The decision may either disqualify the claimant from benefits or approve benefits, which could be charged to the employer. 

Second Level Appeal

If you disagree with the decision, you or any interested party may:

  1. Appeal to the Employment Appeal Board within fifteen (15) days of the judge’s signature by submitting a written appeal via mail, fax, or online to: 

Employment Appeal Board 
4th Floor – Lucas Building 
Des Moines, IA 50319 
Fax: (515)281-7191 
Online: eab.iowa.gov

If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the appeal period is extended to the next business day. There is no filing fee to file an appeal with the Employment Appeal Board. 

An Appeal to the Board Shall State Clearly:

  1. The name, address and social security number of the claimant.
  2. A reference to the decision from which the appeal is taken.
  3. That an appeal from such decision is being made and such appeal is signed.
  4. The grounds upon which such appeal is based.

OR  

File a petition in District Court within thirty (30) days of the date of the judge’s signature. For more information on how to file a petition, visit www.iowacourts.gove/iowa-courst/district-court.  Not that there may be a filing fee for submitting the petition to District Court. 

Note to Parties: You may represent yourself in the appeal or choose to have a lawyer or representative, provided there is no expense to Workforce Development. If you want a lawyer, you can hire a private attorney or one funded by public resources. 

Note: You are still required to file weekly certifications until the 2nd level appeal process is completed. If you're approved for unemployment but haven't filed weekly certifications, you won't be able to receive benefits for those weeks as claims will not be backdated.