If you disagree with a decision regarding your UI claim account, you have the right to appeal. Filing an appeal brings your claim to another authority for review. Once reviewed, the appellate body will decide if the decision remains or if changes are needed.
What You Need
The Notice of Agency Determination will include instructions on how to file an initial appeal to the Arkansas Appeal Tribunal.
Once a decision is received from the Arkansas Appeal Tribunal, there will be instructions included with that decision to file to the Board of Review if there is a disagreement with the decision. Once the Board of Review decision is received, there will be instructions included on how to file to the Arkansas Court of Appeals if there is a disagreement with the decision.
When submitting the request, you will need to:
- Check the box and sign the designated spot on the Notice Agency Determination showing the request to file an appeal to the Appeal Tribunal.
- The decision letters from the Appeal Tribunal and Board of Review will include instructions on how to file to the next level.
- Mail these documents to the appellate body.
Filing Deadlines
You have twenty (20) days from the mailing date of the decision letter, known as the Notice of Agency Determination, to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal and Board of Review. You then have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.
After You File Your Appeal
Once you have filed your appeal on time with the Appeal Tribunal, you can expect the following:
- You will be sent a notice giving the docket number.
- You and the other party will receive a Notice of Telephone Hearing. Both parties will attend this hearing and give additional testimony to a hearing officer. It is important that you understand that the Hearing Officer will use the phone number on your claim to contact you for the hearing. If you are going to be at a different number, you must contact the Appeal Tribunal prior to your hearing to provide them with the correct phone number.
- If you or the either party do not attend, the hearing officer will make a decision based on the facts available.
After the Appeal Tribunal issues its decision, the Board of Review will review the case. This includes the initial determination, the Appeal Tribunal’s decision, and any related documents. The Board may also schedule a hearing before making its decision.
To file to the Board, follow the instructions enclosed in the Appeal Tribunal’s decision. Once the Board gives their decision, they will include the instructions on how to file to the Court of Appeals.
If You File Your Appeal Late
If you submit your appeal after the deadline, you must explain the reason for the delay. The appeals officers will review your explanation to decide whether it qualifies as “good cause” for filing late.
If good cause is found for the delay in filing the appeal, a new hearing date will be scheduled for your case.
How to Appeal
To appeal a decision about your benefits, read the instructions in our decision letter or follow the steps below.
Submit Your Appeal
You can submit your appeal to the Appeal Tribunal by checking the box and signing your name in the designated area on the Notice of Agency Determination. This form along with any additional documentation can be submitted by any method below.
Instructions for appeals to the Board of Review will be included with the Appeal Tribunal Decision and instructions to file to the Court of Appeals will be included with the Board of Review decision. You can submit your request by mail, email or in person. Choose the method that works best for you.
Please note that petitions to the Court of Appeals must be directly submitted to them. Arkansas Workforce Centers or the Division of Reemployment cannot submit petitions to the Court of Appeals on behalf of the person filing the appeal.
Appeal by Mail
Mail your appeal to:
Arkansas Appeal Tribunal
P.O. Box 8013
Little Rock, AR 72203
Appeal by Email
Send all forms and the signed Notice of Agency Determination to [email protected].
Appeal by Fax
Fax all forms and a copy of the Notice of Agency Determination to 501-682-7734.
Appeal in Person
You can drop off all forms to any local office.
Next Steps
Continue to Certify Weekly Claims
If you are still unemployed while going through the appeal process, it is important that you continue to certify your weekly claims. You will still have to meet the eligibility requirements.
Questions about the Unemployment Process
You are able to have an attorney represent you in an appeal to the Appeal Tribunal or the Board of Review, but it is not a requirement. You are required to have representation to appeal to the Court of Appeals.
You may appeal to the next appellate body.
If you disagree with an overpayment decision, you have the ability to appeal per instructions included in the notice.
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