Preparing for a Hearing
Gather your evidence
This appeal hearing may be your last opportunity to present your case, so please be
prepared to do it thoroughly.
Unemployment compensation hearings are said to be "de novo," which is
Latin for "afresh" or "anew." This is done to keep your hearing
impartial and independent of the Deputy's Decision to grant or deny benefits. Therefore,
the Hearing Officer who conducts the hearing is not bound by the Deputy's Decision and
will base their decision only on the evidence and testimony presented at the appeal
hearing.
If papers, letters, statements, or other evidence were presented previously to the
unemployment insurance deputy, and could be helpful to your case, you must take
responsibility for presenting this information again at your appeal hearing.
If there are direct witnesses to the circumstances surrounding your separation from work,
make sure they will attend your hearing to present their information.
Please be prompt
It is important that you arrive promptlyat the hearing site. You are advised to arrive at least 15 minutes
before the scheduled time of your hearing. If you do not appear and you are the appealing
party, your appeal will be dismissed. Click here to read more about
what will happen if you do not attend the hearing.
