About the Commissioner's Review Office
The Commissioner's Review Office makes legal decisions in unemployment benefits and tax cases. A case gets referred to this office at a particular stage of the appeal process.
- Claimants should read about the appeal hearing or proceeding process.
- Employers should read how to appeal an unemployment tax decision.
How to petition the Commissioner's Review Office
The decision you receive from the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) will explain how to petition the Commissioner's Review Office. Submit your petition within 30 days of the date your OAH decision letter is mailed or delivered, whichever is earlier.
How the Commissioner's Review Office handles appeals
A judge from the Commissioner's Review Office will review the OAH decision about your case. The judge will review all testimony and evidence. They also will review the OAH judge's findings, conclusions and decision. The judge will make sure that:
- The decision meets the requirements of the Washington Administrative Procedure Act - Title 34.05 RCW. Read the law on the Washington State Legislature website.
- The findings are accurate.
- The decision properly applies the laws about unemployment insurance benefits and taxation under the Washington Employment Security Act - Title 50 RCW. Read the law on the Washington State Legislature website.
After their review, the judge from the Commissioner's Review Office will decide your case. You'll receive a letter about the decision.
If you disagree with the decision
You can ask a Washington state court to review your case.
Past decisions
Each year, the Commissioner's Review Office determines that specific cases set precedents for unemployment law. The Employment Security Department and the Office of Administrative Hearings need to follow these precedents.
Go to the Westlaw website to read these Precedential Decisions of Commissioner cases.