Monday, June 5, 2023

Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic Taking Appointments for Summer 2023

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is accepting both in-person and remote (phone) appointments for the summer. Intakes will be held every other Monday evening during the summer months. In person appointments are held on Monday nights from 7-9PM at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison. To schedule an appointment call 211.

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is a small non-profit organization staffed by volunteer law students and attorneys. 

You can think of our Monday night clinics like office hours. You can sign up to speak to a law student about your claim and get information on the state of unemployment law in Wisconsin. The student may be able to offer representational services as an advocate in your appeal, but due to our limited resources, we are unable to offer representation in all cases. In cases where we are unable to offer you representation, we try to offer you information to empower you to represent yourself in your appeal hearing. Absent that clear offer of representation (and furnishing of a retainer agreement) your relationship with the clinic ends at the time that your phone call ends. 

We help specifically with administrative unemployment appeals, not issues pertaining to applications, delayed determinations, or cases in Wisconsin circuit court. Much of the unemployment backlog is caused by clerical issues. We do our best to stay abreast of the newest information on how the DWD is processing claims, so we may be able to offer some helpful information on that topics. However, our ability to help is limited if your issue is about delays or other administrative issues. 

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Clinic on hiatus until June 2023

 

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is on hiatus and will not be offering services while UW Law School is in its finals period. We will begin to start taking appointments again this summer and plan to host clinics every other Monday night starting on June 5. 

Monday, January 23, 2023

Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic Now Taking Appointments

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is accepting both in-person and remote (phone) appointments for the spring semester. In person appointments are held on Monday nights from 7-9PM at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison. To schedule an appointment call 211.

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is a small non-profit organization staffed by volunteer law students and attorneys. 

You can think of our Monday night clinics like office hours. You can sign up to speak to a law student about your claim and get information on the state of unemployment law in Wisconsin. The student may be able to offer representational services as an advocate in your appeal, but due to our limited resources, we are unable to offer representation in all cases. In cases where we are unable to offer you representation, we try to offer you information to empower you to represent yourself in your appeal hearing. Absent that clear offer of representation (and furnishing of a retainer agreement) your relationship with the clinic ends at the time that your phone call ends. 

We help specifically with administrative unemployment appeals, not issues pertaining to applications, delayed determinations, or cases in Wisconsin circuit court. Much of the unemployment backlog is caused by clerical issues. We do our best to stay abreast of the newest information on how the DWD is processing claims, so we may be able to offer some helpful information on that topics. However, our ability to help is limited if your issue is about delays or other administrative issues. 

Monday, December 12, 2022

Clinic on Winter Break

 The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is on hiatus and will not be offering services while UW Law School is on Winter Break. We will begin to start taking appointments in mid-January and plan to return to a weekly, Monday night clinic on January 23rd. 

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Fall 2022 Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic Information

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is accepting both in-person and remote (phone) appointments. Masks are required for all in-person appointments. In person appointments are held on Monday nights from 7-9PM at the Madison Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., Madison. To schedule an appointment call 211.

First, what is the clinic and are we a group that could help you?

The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is a small non-profit staffed by volunteer law students and local supervising attorneys. We have one student manager who helps organize the clinic evenings, with all of our appointments scheduled through United Way (contactable by calling 211). 

We help specifically with unemployment appeals, not issues pertaining to applications or delayed determinations. Much of the unemployment backlog is caused by clerical issues. We do our best to stay abreast of the newest information on how the DWD is processing claims, so we may be able to offer some helpful information on that topics. However, our ability to help is limited if your issue is about delays or other administrative issues.

You can think of our Monday night clinics like office hours. You can sign up to receive a call from a law student to talk about your claim and get information on the state of unemployment law in Wisconsin. The student may be able to offer representational services as an advocate, but absent that clear offer (and furnishing of a retainer agreement) your relationship with the clinic ends at the time that your phone call ends.

Our goal is that everyone leave the clinic armed with useful information on the unemployment process and law so that they feel confident navigating their appeal hearing.

The clinic operates on Monday nights from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The clinic is held in person at the Labor Temple at 1602 S. Park Street in Madison, WI. For claimants outside of Madison/Dane County, you may schedule a remote/phone appointment. 

You can make an appointment through United Way by calling 211. If you have questions about the clinic you can call the Unemployment Appeals Clinic phone service at (608)-255-5909 and leave a voicemail. Give your name and phone number as well as a description of your issue so the Administrator can call you back. We can only take about 10 claimants a week. 

Once scheduled, you will receive an email from the Administrator explaining the remote clinic process. If you have documents connected with your appeal, such as an initial determination letter from the Department of Workforce Development, the Administrator will provide instructions on sending those documents to unemploymentclinic@gmail.com so they can be forwarded to assisting staff. Please be aware that the documents you send will be forwarded to law students serving as advocates so that they can review them while talking to you on the phone. Your documents will be kept confidential, but as an extra precaution please cover up or cross out any sensitive personal information contained in the documents such as social security numbers, birthdates, etc. before sending them.

If you come in-person to our clinic, arrive at your scheduled time (you will receive an email on the morning of the clinic) to 1602 S. Park St., Madison.

If you are attending the clinic remotely by phone, be available to take a call between 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday, as you will be receiving a call from a student advocate. The advocate will perform an intake interview to learn more about the issues you are facing.  The student will then confer with the supervising attorneys working that evening about your issue.

Advocates are not able to represent every client who attends the clinic

Advocates are not able to represent every client who attends the clinic. The decision to represent a client is made at the advocates discretion, and will be clearly communicated to the client.

Even if an advocate cannot offer you their services at an appeal hearing, they can discuss the appeal process, relevant points of law, and offer resources that give guidance on the subject. An appeal is something a lay person can do on their own. All appeal hearings are being conducted over the phone currently.

The clinic cannot make the process go any faster and can not check on the status of your pending claims. You can call the DWD at (608)-266-3131 for an update on your claim’s status. Due to the high call volume it may take some time to get connected with claims specialist, but the DWD is still the best place to go for an update on your claim.

Further Resources

  • Additional agencies:

If you are in the northern 33 counties you can go to Wisconsin Judicare at (715) 842-1681 or (800) 472-1638 - Toll Free. If you are in the lower 39 counties you can go to Legal Action of Wisconsin at 855-947-2529. If you are elderly or disabled you can contact the Aging and Disability Rights Center within your county. Otherwise you can use the LRIS (Lawyer Referral and Information Service) at (800) 362-9082 or (608) 257-4666 (in Dane County and outside of Wisconsin).  


    Monday, January 24, 2022

    Spring 2022 Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic Information

    Due to the difficulty being caused by the omicron COVID-19 variant, we will continue to operate remotely (over the phone) this Spring 2022.

    First, what is the clinic and are we a group that could help you?

    The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is a small non-profit staffed by volunteer law students and local supervising attorneys. We have one student manager who helps organize the clinic evenings, with all of our appointments scheduled through United Way (contactable by calling 211). 

    We help specifically with unemployment appeals, not issues pertaining to applications or delayed determinations. Much of the unemployment backlog is caused by clerical issues. We do our best to stay abreast of the newest information on how the DWD is processing claims, so we may be able to offer some helpful information on that topics. However, our ability to help is limited if your issue is about delays or other administrative issues.

    You can think of our Monday night clinics like office hours. You can sign up to receive a call from a law student to talk about your claim and get information on the state of unemployment law in Wisconsin. The student may be able to offer representational services as an advocate, but absent that clear offer (and furnishing of a retainer agreement) your relationship with the clinic ends at the time that your phone call ends.

    Our goal is that everyone leave the clinic armed with useful information on the unemployment process and law so that they feel confident navigating their appeal hearing.

    The clinic operates on Monday nights from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

    Normally the clinic takes place in person at the Labor Temple at 1602 S. Park Street in Madison, WI. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, the clinic will now operate remotely, every Monday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with all appointments conducted over the phone. We will be running the clinic remotely until we feel it is safe to meet in person again, regardless if any state or local orders are lifted.

    You can make an appointment through United Way by calling 211. If you have questions about the clinic you can call the Unemployment Appeals Clinic phone service at (608)-255-5909 and leave a voicemail. Give your name and phone number as well as a description of your issue so the Administrator can call you back. We can only take about 10 claimants a week, and are only taking claimants two weeks in advance so that we can make sure that each claimant is afforded at least 30 minutes to speak to a student. Were we to take more claimants or schedule further in advance we could not guarantee enough volunteers to handle the influx of appointments we receive. We hope you understand why we need to have these appointment restrictions!

    Once scheduled, you will receive an email from the Administrator explaining the remote clinic process. If you have documents connected with your appeal, such as an initial determination letter from the Department of Workforce Development, the Administrator will provide instructions on sending those documents to unemploymentclinic@gmail.com so they can be forwarded to assisting staff. Please be aware that the documents you send will be forwarded to law students serving as advocates so that they can review them while talking to you on the phone. Your documents will be kept confidential, but as an extra precaution please cover up or cross out any sensitive personal information contained in the documents such as social security numbers, birthdates, etc. before sending them.

    Stay by the phone from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday, as you will be receiving a call from a student advocate. The advocate will perform an intake interview to learn more about the issues you are facing.  The student will then confer with the supervising attorneys working that evening about your issue.


    We have more appointments than ever before, so it may take some time to connect with the supervising attorney. The student advocate may ask to hang up for a brief period in order to move on to another client intake interview. Do not worry, the advocate will call you back in a timely manner.

    Advocates are not able to represent every client who attends the clinic

    Advocates are not able to represent every client who attends the clinic. The decision to represent a client is made at the advocates discretion, and will be clearly communicated to the client.

    Even if an advocate cannot offer you their services at an appeal hearing, they can discuss the appeal process, relevant points of law, and offer resources that give guidance on the subject. An appeal is something a lay person can do on their own. All appeal hearings are being conducted over the phone currently.

    Unfortunately, the Department of Workforce Development is extremely backlogged right now, so it is possible that it will be several weeks before your claim is resolved. The clinic cannot make the process go any faster. You can call the DWD at (608)-266-3131 for an update on your claim’s status. Due to the high call volume it may take some time to get connected with claims specialist, but the DWD is still the best place to go for an update on your claim.

    Further Resources

    • Additional agencies:
    If you are in the northern 33 counties you can go to Wisconsin Judicare at (715) 842-1681 or (800) 472-1638 - Toll Free. If you are in the lower 39 counties you can go to Legal Action of Wisconsin at 855-947-2529. If you are elderly or disabled you can contact the Aging and Disability Rights Center within your county. Otherwise you can use the LRIS (Lawyer Referral and Information Service) at (800) 362-9082 or (608) 257-4666 (in Dane County and outside of Wisconsin).  
    • Claim processing delays:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/09/16/delays-part-1/


    https://www.wisconsinwatch.org/2020/11/wisconsin-covid-19-unemployment-thousands-waiting/

    • Hearing delays:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/unemployment-delays-part-4/
    • The backlog with claims remains:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2021/01/05/unemployment-delays-part-5/
    • Missing appeal deadlines or a claim-filing requirement because of bad DWD advice:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/09/17/unemployment-delays-part-2/
    • Resources for getting help over these delays are here:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/unemployment-delays-part-3/

    • For help navigating the UI portal to get actual documents:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/10/02/how-to-navigate-wisconsins-unemployment-portal/
    • The actual on-line claim screens are now available at:
    https://wisconsinui.wordpress.com/2020/10/29/claim-filing-questions-in-wisconsin/
    • Finally, the workers' guide to unemployment law offers an overview of general unemployment issues as well as advice for preparing for your unemployment hearing:
    http://dwd-uireform.vforberger.fastmail.fm/WorkersGuide-6.5.2017.07.pdf


    Check out our original tips for filing here. With questions about our clinic please email unemploymentclinic@gmail.com. 

    Saturday, December 4, 2021

    Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic on Winter Break

    The Unemployment Compensation Appeals Clinic is on Winter Break. We are currently not scheduling any Monday night intake appointments. Claimants already represented by students will continue to be represented by students, but we are not taking on any more claimants for representation at this time. 

    In mid to late January 2020 we will again hold our Monday night intake appointments. Look to this blog for any updates on our schedule (which is TBD). 

    See our previous post, here, to hear more about our clinic, how we have been operating for the past year and a half, and resources for unemployment help outside of our clinic. 

    Happy Holidays!