Every year the Employment Department issues thousands of administrative decisions. The decisions may concern unemployment taxes or the payment of unemployment insurance benefits. If you receive a decision and you disagree with it, you may request a hearing. File a request within the 20-day time limit, or within ten days if you are appealing a claim determination, to have a hearing.

 

We will mail to you notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing along with a pamphlet titled How to Prepare and Present Your Case.

 

Hearings are held by telephone conference call. The Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) administrative law judges conduct the hearings.

 

The hearing process is simple. Individuals can represent themselves. During a hearing, both sides have a chance to present their cases and ask questions of any witnesses that appear. All testimony is taken under oath or affirmation. The decision of the administrative law judge is based solely on the facts presented at the hearing. It is important you participate in the hearing to make certain your side of the story is told.

 

If you cannot participate in the scheduled hearing, contact the OAH immediately. If you ask for a hearing but then fail to participate, your appeal will be dismissed. You will receive a written decision approximately 14 days after the hearing.

 

You may also appeal the administrative law judge’s decision. Unemployment benefit cases are appealed to the Employment Appeals Board, a three-person panel appointed by the governor. Tax cases are appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals. These appeals are a review of the administrative law judge’s decision based on the evidence presented at the first hearing. This is another reason it is so important to attend a hearing to represent your case. If you have questions regarding a hearing, contact the OAH at (503) 947-1515 or 1-888-577-2422.