Information on Protesting a UI Claim

Related Topics:

Unemployment

NOTICE OF CLAIM

If an unemployment insurance (UI) claim is determined monetarily eligible (the claimant earned enough wages during the previous year to qualify for unemployment benefits), a Notice of Claim (Form 65-5317) is sent to the claimant’s most recent employer and to all employers in the claimant's base period.

The employer may protest payment of benefits by stating the reason on the notice and returning it to Iowa Workforce Development (IWD). The response must be postmarked or received within 10 days from the date it was mailed to the employer. If a claim is protested, IWD may arrange a fact-finding interview to determine the claimant's eligibility for UI benefits. 

FACT-FINDING INTERVIEW

The fact-finding interview will be conducted by telephone. A notice for the fact-finding interview is mailed to the employer and the claimant. The notice will include the scheduled date, time, and the telephone numbers the fact-finder will call for the interview.  

Claimants are urged to participate in the fact-finding interview. Failure to participate or provide all relevant information could result in a disqualification of benefits. The IWD fact-finding telephone and fax numbers will be listed on the notice of interview. 

It is important to include identifying information on all correspondence, such as:

  • Employer name
  • Claimant name
  • Claimant Social Security Number
  • Date and time of the scheduled interview

If the employer or claimant cannot participate in the interview or provide an explanation of the issue, a decision must be made on the available facts. 

During the fact-finding interview, an IWD representative will ask the employer and claimant questions and allow both parties to explain his or her position on the issue.  Both parties will be allowed to present witnesses and evidence during the interview. A decision regarding the claimant's eligibility to receive benefits will be issued by IWD within a few days of the fact-finding interview. The decision will be mailed to both the employer and the claimant.

If either party disagrees with the decision, he or she may file an appeal. Instructions for doing so will be included on the reverse side of the decision. The appeal must be postmarked or received within 10 calendar days of the mailing date of the initial decision. To appeal a UI decision, or for additional information on the appeal process, visit UI appeals.