For efficient and quick processing, claimants and employers are urged to submit a protest or appeal using official UIA forms. The UIA chatbot should not be used to file a protest or appeal.
The forms to use are 1733, 1471C, 1471L and 1471T, which are available to download online. They can be submitted through MiWAM, sent by mail, or faxed.
When a new claim for unemployment benefits is completed, UIA will issue a monetary determination to the claimant and employer(s). After an investigation on the claimant’s eligibility for benefits is completed, UIA will issue a non-monetary determination to both the claimant and the employer(s). When UIA determines benefit payments should be issued to a claimant, UIA will issue a listing of the payments to the chargeable employer(s).
Throughout the unemployment process, you will be notified by UIA of Determinations for eligibility/disqualification on your claim. If you disagree with the UIA on Determinations for eligibility, then you have the right to protest or appeal during the claim review process.
A protest is a signed written statement addressed to UIA that indicates why you do not agree with the Determination issued that was not in your favor.
An Appeal is a signed written statement to address a Redetermination (Redeterminations are issued from UIA). The statement should include why you do not agree with the decision and any supporting documentation. The appeal should be sent to the address on the back of the Redetermination or decision/order. The Appeal must be received within 30 days of the Redetermination/Decision/Order mail date. Appeals are heard before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), not by UIA staff, although UIA staff can participate in the appeal hearing.
Note: Claimants should continue to certify on time while your protest or appeal is pending. Continue to look for work and report your work search activities through MiWAM or by calling MARVIN on your scheduled certification week until you return to full-time work.
Protest Fax:
Fax protest form and supporting documents to 1-517-636-0427
Protest Mail:
Unemployment Insurance Agency
P.O. Box 169
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169
Appeals Fax:
Fax appeal form and supporting documents to 1-616-356-0739
Appeals Mail:
Unemployment Insurance Agency
P.O. Box 124
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0124
Once the protest is received, the UIA will review and issue a Redetermination. A claimant or employer can appeal a Redetermination if it is not in their favor.
This appeal can be filed online or by email, postal mail, or fax. The Redetermination decision issued by the UIA will include instructions on how to file your appeal. An appeal must be received by the UIA within 30 days from the mail date of the Redetermination decision.
After UIA receives an appeal, it forwards the appeal to the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules (MOAHR) for processing. Appeals are processed by both UIA and MOAHR in the order received. Due to high volume, there may be a delay between the date you submit your appeal and when you receive the Notice of Hearing.
Once a hearing is scheduled, MOAHR will mail a Notice of Hearing with the date, time, and call-in information for a telephone hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
MOAHR is not a part of UIA, so all documentation needs to be submitted to the office listed on your Notice of Hearing.
It is important that you attend your hearing. Review the Notice of Hearing and below information on how to prepare for your hearing.
Resources for Hearings
Review the Guide to Unemployment Insurance Appeals Hearings for information on what happens at an unemployment insurance hearing.
It's possible an ALJ order will be issued without a hearing. If you have a hearing, a decision by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will be mailed to you after. If the decision is not in your favor, you have the right to submit a rehearing or reopening request to MOAHR, or an appeal to the Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission (UIAC).
UIAC accepts appeals by E-File submission, email, mail, or fax. An appeal must be received by UIAC within 30 days from the mail date of the ALJ’s decision. Instructions on how to file an appeal to UIAC are included in the ALJ's decision and on the UIAC's website.
You can appeal a decision made by the UIAC to circuit court. To be on time, the circuit court must receive appeals within 30 days from the mail date on the UIAC decision.
For additional information on how to file an appeal to circuit court, review the UIAC's Frequently Asked Questions.
