Appeal an unemployment benefits decision

If you disagree with our decision about your unemployment benefits, you can appeal that decision. Learn how to submit an appeal and what to expect.

What you can appeal

  • A final decision about your benefits.
  • A decision to deny or reduce your benefits.
  • A decision to deny your training application.
  • The reason for an overpayment.
  • The amount of an overpayment.
  • The finding that you caused an overpayment (also known as being "at fault").
  • The denial of your request to waive repayment of overpaid benefits.

Deadline to appeal a decision

You need to appeal within 30 days from the date we send our decision. If you appeal an overpayment on time, we will not ask you to pay back those benefits before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) rules on your case. OAH is a separate agency that independently handles appeals. You will not need to pay back benefits if OAH rules in your favor.

If you appeal after 30 days, you need to explain why you are appealing late. OAH may dismiss your case if you do not have a good reason for a late appeal. After 30 days, we will bill you monthly for any overpayments.

How to appeal a decision

To appeal our decision about your benefits, read the instructions in our decision letter or follow the steps below.

  1. Gather the information you will need

    Include this information with your appeal:

    • Your name.
    • Your Social Security number.
    • What decision you are appealing (the reason you were denied or disqualified).
    • The date of the decision.
    • Why you disagree with the decision.
    • Evidence you think we should consider when making our decision.
    • Names of witnesses you would like to have present for your hearing.
    • If you need an interpreter, what language you use (this includes American Sign Language interpreters).
    • If your appeal is late, explain why it is late.
    • Your signature.

  2. Prepare your documents

    Before including documents with your appeal, please:

    • Remove any personal information that is not relevant to your appeal, including:
      • Bank account and medical record numbers — your own or someone else's.
      • Addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers of other people.
    • Make sure your documents are not password-protected or otherwise inaccessible.

  3. Submit your appeal

    You can appeal a decision online, by mail, or by fax. You cannot appeal by phone or e-mail. Choose the method that works best for you.

    Appeal online

    There are some types of decisions you cannot appeal online. Follow the instructions in your decision letter to make sure you appeal using the correct method.

    1. Log into your eServices account.
    2. Select your claim and go to the 'Decision' status tab.
    3. Look for the decision you want to appeal and choose 'Appeal.'

    To appeal multiple decisions online, submit a separate appeal for each decision.

    Appeal by mail

    Write a letter requesting an appeal or use our appeal request template:

    To appeal multiple decisions by mail, include the letter ID for each decision in your request.

    Mail your appeal to:

    Claims Center Appeals
    P.O. Box 19018
    Olympia, WA 98507-0018

    Appeal by fax

    Fax your appeal to 800-301-1795.

    To appeal multiple decisions by fax, include the letter ID for each decision in your request.

  4. Continue to submit weekly claims

    Keep submitting claims for each week you want to receive benefits. If your appeal is successful, we will pay you for the weeks you claimed and are eligible for. We will not pay you for weeks you did not claim.

    If your employer appeals your right to benefits and we decide against you, you will have to repay any benefits you received.

Appeals from employers

Employers can also appeal decisions about your unemployment benefits. This includes:

  • Your last employer.
  • Any base-year employer.
  • Any employer you refused a job offer from.

If an employer appeals your right to benefits and we decide against you, you will need to repay any benefits you received.

What happens after you appeal

We will review any new information you provide with your appeal. Then we will determine if we can change our decision.

Option 1: We will change our original decision

We may change our decision about your benefits for some or all of the weeks included in your appeal request. If we make a new decision, we will mail you a new decision letter and close your appeal. If you or your employer still disagree with the decision, you will need to file a new appeal.

Make sure your payment information is up to date before we process the new decision, such as your direct deposit information or the mailing address for your debit card.

Option 2: We cannot change our original decision

If we cannot change our decision, we will send your appeal to OAH. They will contact you with more information about what to do next.

If you need to attend a hearing

After OAH receives your appeal, they may hold a hearing about your case. To learn more about hearings:

Overview of the appeals process

The image below shows the entire appeals process from start to finish.

Steps in the appeal process

 

  1. We send a decision letter.
  2. You or your employer request an appeal.
  3. We review the appeal and may change our decision. If not, we send the appeal to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
  4. OAH schedules a hearing or Brief Adjudicative Proceeding.
  5. OAH holds a hearing or Brief Adjudicative Proceeding.
  6. A judge makes an Initial Order.
  7. OAH sends the Initial Order in writing to all parties.
  8. We receive the Initial Order.
  9. We process the order and update eServices. (You can appeal an OAH order. See the written order for instructions.)