Prepare for your Hearing and Gather Evidence - This appeal hearing may be your last opportunity to present your case, so be thoroughly prepared.

Unemployment Compensation appeal hearing are called "de novo", which is latin for "from the beginning".  This means your hearing will be truly impartial and independent of the initial decision that granted or denied your benefits.  The Referee who conducts the hearing is not bound by the initial decision and will base his/her decision only on the evidence and testimony presented at the hearing.  This is a VERY important point.

If documents, letters, statements or any other types of evidence were previously presented at to the unemployment office, and could be helpful to your case, YOU are responsible for making sure they are presented again at your appeal hearing.  Decide who your witnesses will be, if any, and make sure they will attend your hearing.  Before the hearing, you and your attorney, or authorized representative have the right to review the case file.