Business & Work

There are two types of files that may be useful in your unemployment benefits appeal:

• Your unemployment file, and 
• Your personnel file. 

Note: Unemployment insurance decisions must be appealed within 30 days after the letter of denial is mailed to you. Be sure to file your appeal on time. Learn more about being denied unemployment insurance.

Unemployment file

Your unemployment file has the information that the Illinois Department of Employment Services (IDES) used to decide your unemployment benefits. If your application was denied and you want to appeal the decision, you should contact your local unemployment office to request a copy of the file. The IDES website has a "Review File Request" form that you can submit to the local or main office. 

You have a right to see everything in your unemployment file. You should review this file carefully. You may want to use this information in support of your appeal.

Personnel file

Your personnel file refers to information that your former employer has about your employment. Your personnel file should contain information about payroll and your dates of employment. 

To get this file, write to your former employer asking to see or get a copy of your entire personnel file. Your written request can be on paper or electronic, such as by email or text message. If your employer refuses, remind them that they are required to give you access to your file. Employers are allowed to charge a fee for providing you a copy of this file.

Review your file carefully. Decide what information from the file you want to use at your appeal hearing. You need to submit any documents you want to use to both the Referee and your former employer 24 hours before the hearing. Documents should be submitted by mail or fax. Check your Notice of Hearing for more information.

If you do not provide them with copies of these documents, you will not be allowed to use them. The Referee will not consider anything that has not been submitted.

Your former employer must also send you a copy of any documents they plan to use. If you have not received documents from your former employer a week before your appeal, contact them or the Referee. This will ensure that you have anything that they plan to use. Some employers may use witness testimony instead of documents.

Learn more about appealing an unemployment denial.