DEO scheduled phone hearing but never got notice - fired after giving 2 weeks notice - employer claiming fraud?

This is actually fairly common. Your employer is probably contesting your claim because they don't want their unemployment insurance rates to go up. When you give notice and they let you go before your end date, you're generally eligible for benefits for that period. What you need to do is log into CONNECT, click on 'Determination, Pending Issues and Decision Summary' in your left menu, and any notices will be there. You can download the PDFs. For the phone hearing, make sure you have documentation of your notice date and when they actually terminated you - texts, emails, anything. Also have proof of your new job's start date ready.

OMG the EXACT same thing happened to me back in January!!!! My boss got all pissy when I gave notice and told me "don't bother coming back tomorrow" and then had the NERVE to fight my unemployment for the 3 weeks before my new job!! These employers are such HYPOCRITES. The DEO system is BROKEN. I couldn't get through on phone either and missed my hearing date because notice came 2 days AFTER the hearing. Had to request a new hearing and waited 6 more weeks with no money. Good luck!!!

yea they always say fraud when they dont wanna pay lol... make sure u write down EXACTLY what happened... when u gave notice... when they said dont come back... start date of new job etc. have all dates ready

You absolutely need to prepare for this hearing properly because the outcome will determine if you have to repay benefits and potentially face fraud penalties. Here's what you need to know: 1. The hearing officer will ask both you and your former employer questions about the separation 2. Your employer will likely claim you quit voluntarily (which would disqualify you) 3. You need to clearly explain that you gave proper notice but were terminated early by the employer 4. Have any evidence ready (email giving notice, witness statements, final paystub) 5. Speak clearly and professionally during the hearing If you're struggling to contact DEO to ask questions before the hearing, I recommend using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They can get you connected to a live DEO agent quickly to answer any questions about your hearing. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. This helped me get through when I had a similar situation last year.

Good luck with the hearing. Remember to stay calm and just tell the truth. That's all you can do really.

Make sure to log in to the hearing 10-15 minutes early. When the hearing starts, wait for the officer to ask you questions - don't interrupt when the employer is speaking (even if they lie). You'll get your turn. If the officer asks if you have questions for your employer, ask specific questions that highlight the fact that they terminated you early after you gave proper notice. For example: "Did I give proper two weeks notice on [date]?" and "Did you tell me not to return to work after I gave notice?" After the hearing, a written decision will be mailed to you, but you can also check CONNECT for the decision. If you lose, you have 20 days to appeal to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission.

Yes, definitely mention that you only claimed for the specific gap period before your new job. That shows you weren't trying to collect benefits indefinitely and strengthens your case. And yes, you can absolutely have notes during the call - the hearing officer won't see you. Just don't rustle papers loudly or sound like you're reading from a script. Have organized notes with dates, facts, and key points you want to make.

Anyone else notice how IMPOSSIBLE it is to reach anyone at DEO?!?! It's like they DELIBERATELY make it hard to talk to a human!! I spent 3 DAYS calling non-stop before my hearing and never got through. The whole system is designed to make us give up!!!

Since you already got your hearing notice from CONNECT, make sure to download and save it immediately. Sometimes they disappear from the system (happened to my cousin). Also, write down the exact phone number and access code for the hearing and set multiple reminders. Missing the hearing automatically means you lose the case.

One last piece of advice - during the hearing, keep your answers brief and directly address the question asked. Don't volunteer extra information or try to tell your whole story at once. The hearing officer will guide the conversation. If you're asked a yes/no question, answer yes or no and then elaborate only if asked to do so. Stay focused on the key facts: 1) You gave proper notice, 2) Employer terminated you early, 3) You had a new job lined up with a specific start date, and 4) You only claimed benefits for that gap period. Good luck!