Unemployment Lawyers in Minnesota

Unemployment benefits provide a laid-off employee with vital financial support during the transitional period between jobs. It can enable you to make your mortgage payments, continue to have health care insurance and provide spare cash to meet daily expenses.

If your unemployment benefits claim has been denied by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), you have the right to appeal this decision. You should consider having legal representation, because the information you provide in your initial appeal hearing will be the only evidence considered in this and any subsequent appeals. Give us a call at 952-641-7734 or send us an email to request your free initial consultation.

The Unemployment Process In Minnesota

The unemployment process begins when you lose your job and apply for benefits through the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) manages the program, which reviews each application and decides whether benefits should be granted.

It includes the following steps:

• Filing a claim: You apply for unemployment online or by phone, providing your work history, wages and reason for job separation.
• Initial review: DEED examines your claim and may contact you and your former employer to verify information.
• Eligibility decision: DEED will issue a written determination stating whether you qualify. If approved, you will start receiving weekly benefits.
• Possible denial: If you are denied, the letter will explain why. Some common reasons are voluntarily quitting without a valid reason, misconduct at work or incomplete/inaccurate information.
• Filing an appeal: If you disagree with the denial, you can appeal within 20 calendar days of the notice. Missing this deadline can prevent your case from moving forward.
• The appeal hearing: After filing, you will be scheduled for a phone hearing with an unemployment law judge. Both you and your employer can present evidence. A new decision is then issued based on the hearing.
• Further appeals: If the judge’s decision is still unfavorable, you may take your case to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, though this process is more complex and may require legal help.

Understanding each step is key. Even a simple mistake or delay can impact your right to benefits, which is why it is important to work with an unemployment attorney.

Unemployment Appeals Keeping You Up At Night? Let Us Represent You.

At Villaume & Schiek, our team of employment law attorneys represents laid-off employees in unemployment benefits appeals. For a reasonable fee, we will protect your rights and seek to obtain approval of your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible.

To obtain unemployment benefits, you must complete an application with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Your former employer has the right to contest your application.

Following an adverse decision regarding the unemployment benefits application, the appeals process generally proceeds in this fashion:

First-Level Hearing — This is usually a telephone hearing before an unemployment law judge. Our goal in this hearing will be to reverse the denial of your claim. We can provide additional information, cross-examine witnesses who support your case and challenge the assertions of your former employer.

Request for Reconsideration — If the judge issues an adverse decision, we can file a written request, pointing out facts that the judge may have overlooked or misinterpreted.

Court of Appeals Hearing — We can represent you in an appeal before the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

The Benefits Of Legal Representation

Some of the reasons you should consider retaining Villaume & Schiek, include the following:

• Having a lawyer represent you tells the judge that you are serious about your case.
• You have only one opportunity to provide the judge with relevant information.
• We understand the appeals process, and how to collect and present information that addresses the unemployment law judge’s concerns.
• Reversing an adverse unemployment decision can protect your professional reputation and enable you to avoid embarrassing questions during your job search.
• Villaume & Schiek charges reasonable fees.
• If you were the victim of illegal employment practices, such as employment discrimination or workplace retaliation, we can represent you in a separate civil action, seeking additional compensation for you.

Denied Unemployment In Minnesota? Let Us Help

If your unemployment claim has been denied, you still have options. At Villaume & Schiek, we can help you understand why you were denied and gather any supporting documents that challenge that reasoning.

Although the appeals process can be confusing, we are here to provide guidance and seek the best possible outcome. Contact Villaume & Schiek in Bloomington for a free consultation with a Minnesota unemployment appeals attorney.