Unemployment Insurance Appeals - Maryland Department of Labor

Due to high call volume the Lower Appeals Division suggests that you contact us via e-mail at UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov. This e-mail account is monitored and we will be responding to incoming messages throughout the work day. This e-mail account can also be used to file an appeal.

Under Maryland Unemployment Insurance a claimant or employer normally has 15 days after the date of the mailing of a benefit determination to file a timely appeal. Code of Maryland Regulations provides that the period for filing an appeal from the Claims Specialist's determination may be extended by the Hearing Examiner for good cause shown. Due to the high claim volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, untimely filing of an appeal may result. Such appeals will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

WHAT CAN BE APPEALED TO LOWER APPEALS?

Only certain documents may be appealed to the Lower Appeals division. Specifically, we only handle appeals from documents titled “Notice of Benefit Determination,” ”Lost Wage Assistance Eligibility Determination,” or “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Eligibility Determination,” or similar Determinations. Please note that if you were issued one of those Determinations, it will be in your BEACON “Correspondence" in the BEACON system.

A claimant for unemployment insurance who has been denied benefits based on one of those Determinations may file an appeal of that denial to the Appeals Division. An employer may appeal one of those Determinations granting benefits to a former employee. Upon receipt of an appeal a hearing will be scheduled on the earliest available date.

HOW CAN I FILE AN APPEAL TO LOWER APPEALS FROM AN APPEALABLE AGENCY DETERMINATION?

Claimants and Employers: USE BEACON
To file an appeal (or to see if there is anything that you can appeal), you should log into your BEACON portal using a standard computer (this will not necessarily work from the mobile app) using one of the links below. Then click on the "Correspondence" option, and then click the SEARCH button. If there is a Determination which is appealable, there will be a “File Appeal” hyperlink on the end of the row of that Determination. If you disagree with that Determination, you should click on the "File Appeal" hyperlink and then fill out the form which takes all of your information. At the end of that process, you will be issued an appeal number.

Third Party Agents Representing MARYLAND Employers
If you are an agent that has the authorization from a Maryland employer to file appeals on its behalf, you can visit your Agent account and search for the employer. Once found, click on the Employer’s “account ID” and you can file the appeal from the Employer’s account by searching for the Lower Appeals Decision in the Employer’s correspondence. Click the “File Appeal” link. The File Appeal wizard will then walk you through the steps.

Other Representatives, including those who represent claimants or other (including out-of-state) employers
Use the following link to enter BEACON in order to file an appeal on behalf of the party you are representing. The wizard will walk you through the steps to file an appeal. If you have already used this link before and created an account, please click on the “Login to my Account” link.

Your request for an appeal must include:

1. The precise name and date of the Determination from which you wish to appeal;
2. The Claimant’s name as it appears on the Determination from which you wish to appeal;
3. The Claimant’s social security number and/or your claimant/employer ID number;
4. A telephone number where you can be reached; and
5. A brief statement of why you disagree with the Determination being appealed.

You will then receive notification that your appeal has been received. Eventually you will receive a Hearing Notice which further explains your rights and responsibilities as it relates to the appeal.

If you do not have access to either BEACON or e-mail, you may file your appeal by mail or by fax using the contact information which appears at the end of this page. If you do this, make sure that you include the above information (preferably including a copy of the Determination from which you seek to appeal, your name and ID number, your phone number. Your name must be legibly printed and your signature must be included on the request for appeal.)

WHAT IF THERE ARE NO DETERMINATIONS IN MY CORRESPONDENCE WHICH ARE APPEALABBLE TO THE LOWER APPEALS DIVISION?
If there are no determinations in your "Correspondence" to appeal to the Lower Appeals Division, you may contact the Division of Unemployment Insurance ("DUI") for more information about your claim. DUI has developed some new ways for you to resolve any issues or questions that you may have.

You may use the Virtual Assistant, located at MDunemployment.com. Simply click on the blue "Chat with us" tab at the lower right-hand corner of the page, and you will be able to ask your question. Please contact DUI to resolve your issue.

Finally, you can try reaching DUI through the contact information that appears on DUI's website.

Once you file your appeal, if you have any questions about the appeals process, please contact us or visit the Lower Appeals Division website.

OTHER INFORMATION

If you are unable to find an appealable link to a Determination that you wish to appeal, you may reach out to us in the Lower Appeals division for assistance. By far, the best and most efficient way to reach us is by e-mailing us at UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov.

The last date to file an appeal as well as the address to which the appeal should be directed is printed on both monetary and non-monetary determinations. If an appeal is filed, a hearing will be held by a Hearing Examiner, who will then issue a written decision. That decision is appealable by a claimant, by an employer or by DUI. All such appeals would then go to the Board of Appeals.

DO NOT FILE AN APPEAL FROM AN INITIAL DETERMINATION TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS. Only Lower Appeals decisions are appealable to the Board of Appeals.

Our full contact information is as follows:
Lower Appeals Division
2800 W. Patapsco Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230
Telephone: 410-767-2421
Fax: 410-225-9781
E-mail: UILowerAppeals.Labor@maryland.gov

• Lower Appeals
• Board of Appeals
• Decisions Digest
• For information concerning filing an appeal from Lower Appeals to the Board of Appeals, please contact the Board at 410-767-2781.