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Unemployment Insurance Appeals

If you disagree with our decision to deny your benefits or require you to pay back overpaid benefits, you have the right to appeal. If you appeal, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will review your case.


You must submit your appeal in writing within 30 days of the mailing date on your Notice of Determination and/or Ruling (DE 1080CZ) or Notice of Overpayment (DE 1444CT). You can still submit an appeal after the 30-day deadline, but you must provide the reasons why you missed the deadline. An ALJ will review your reasons for missing the appeal deadline. If the ALJ decides that you had good cause for missing the appeal deadline, the ALJ will continue to review your appeal.


To appeal, download the Appeal Form (DE 1000M) or use the copy included with your Notice of Determination or Notice of Overpayment. If you don’t have access to an appeal form, you can submit a letter to appeal. Mail your appeal form or letter to the address at the top of your Notice of Determination. If you need the mailing address or a copy of your Notice of Determination or Notice of Overpayment, contact Unemployment Customer Service at 1-800-300-5616, send us a message through your UI Online account, or visit an America's Job Center of California (AJCC) location.


When you submit an appeal, be sure to explain your reasons for appealing. Include all details, documents, and evidence you want the EDD to review. In some cases, based on the information you provide, we may change a disqualification and find you eligible for benefits. This would eliminate the need for an appeal.

If you choose to write a letter, include all of the following information:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Social Security number
  • Name and mailing address of any person representing you
  • The decision you are appealing
  • Details, documents, and evidence supporting your appeal
  • Any request for language assistance or special accommodations

After You File an Appeal

After you submit your appeal, the EDD will review the information you provided. If you are found eligible for unemployment benefits based on the additional information you provided in your appeal, we will process the certification weeks we received.

If the information you provided in your appeal does not change the EDD’s decision, we will send your appeal to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, also known as the Office of Appeals. You will receive a letter from the Office of Appeals acknowledging your appeal. This notice will include more information about the appeal process.

Note: Please continue to certify for benefits while your appeal is pending. You can only be paid for weeks in which you have certified and met all other eligibility requirements.

The Office of Appeals will then schedule a hearing to consider your appeal. You will receive a Notice of Hearing by mail at least 10 days in advance, which will include the date, time, and location of your hearing, as well as additional information about the appeal process.

For information about what to expect at your hearing and how to prepare, please visit the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board website.

Withdrawing an Appeal

You may withdraw your appeal at any time before the ALJ issues a decision on your case by calling or writing to the Office of Appeals.

After Your Hearing

After your hearing, the Office of Appeals will mail the ALJ’s written decision to you, your employer, and the EDD. This may take several weeks. If you are found eligible, you will only be paid for periods for which you have certified, and you must have met all other eligibility requirements. If you are still disqualified, your notice will contain instructions on filing a second-level appeal.

Second-Level Appeals

If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you may file a second-level appeal with the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. Visit Filing an Appeal | California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board for more information.

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