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Lower Appeals - Unemployment Insurance Appeals

IMPORTANT NOTE CONCERNING PANDEMIC-RELATED OPERATING CONDITIONS:
Please note that the LOWER APPEALS DIVISION is a totally separate unit from the DIVISION OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (DUI). We in LOWER APPEALS can only assist with appeals of certain Determinations issued by DUI. General unemployment inquiries (such as any inquiry not related to an appealable Determination) must be directed to the Division of Unemployment Insurance. DUI may be reached at their e-mail address and at the contact information that appears on DUI's website.

Finally, due to increased teleworking related to COVID-19 and high call/fax volume, if you do have a LOWER APPEALS issue, we strongly recommend that you contact us via e-mail at uilowerappeals.labor@maryland.gov in lieu of any other form of communication. This e-mail account is monitored throughout the work day, and we will be prioritizing our responses to incoming e-mails over calls/faxes. This e-mail account can also be used to file an appeal.

THE LOWER APPEALS PROCESS

After someone files for Maryland Unemployment, the Maryland Department of Labor's Unemployment Insurance Division (UI) investigates that person's eligibility to receive benefits. As part of its investigation, UI may issue one (or sometimes several) determination(s) that bear on that person's eligibility.

As a result of those determinations, sometimes the agency determines that the claimant is eligible to receive benefits, and sometimes the agency determines the claimant is denied the right to receive benefits. In either case, the disqualified party (sometimes being the claimant, and sometimes being the claimant's former employer) generally has a right to take an appeal from each determination. These web pages discuss that appeal process in detail.

Our website is comprised of six sections, each of which discusses a separate aspect of the appeal process. To navigate directly to any particular section, you can use the navigation bar that appears on the left side of each page.

Here is how the information is broken down:

  1. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
    The general process for filing an appeal is discussed. We also answer the question: Which employers may be involved when a claimant files for unemployment insurance benefits?
     
  2. HOW TO FILE AN APPEAL
    This section answers the following questions:
    • How much time do you have to file an appeal?
    • How do I file an appeal?
    • Where to file your appeal?
    • What must be included in your appeal?
    • What do I do if I need an interpreter?
       
  3. HOW TO PREPARE FOR -- AND PARTICIPATE IN -- AN APPEAL
    This section answers the following questions:
    • How should I prepare for my appeal?
    • How can I present my documents to the hearing examiner?
    • Am I allowed to include witnesses in the hearing?
    • How do subpoenas work?
    • How do I participate in my telephonic appeal?
    • Do I have to participate in this hearing?
       
  4. WHAT HAPPENS AT THE HEARING?
    This section discusses the appeal hearing process in detail.
     
  5. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HEARING
    This section discusses how and when you'll receive the written decision in your case, and what rights the parties have to file a further appeal.
     
  6. ANY QUESTIONS?
    This section encourages you to contact Lower Appeals and ask any questions you may have, preferably prior to the start of the hearing.

Maryland Department of Labor
Lower Appeals Division
2800 W. Patapsco Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: 410-767-2421
Fax: 410-225-9781 or 410-767-2532
e-mail: uilowerappeals.labor@maryland.gov