Q: My unemployment claim is under investigation for fraud. If I am denied benefits, can I file an appeal and if so, should
I furloughed because of covid 19 and applied for unemployment benefits (in Washington D.C). My claim was not being processed, so I called their office and the representative I spoke with said that I was under investigation for fraud because I did not list myself as having a job in Maryland.
The reason I did not notify them that I had worked there was because I quit that specific job (located in Maryland) in 2018. Since 2019, I have only worked in Washington D.C. They said it would take 21 days to complete their investigation and until then all I can do is wait.
If I cannot speed up this process or speak with the unemployment office in another way, should I be prepared to file an appeal? Should I get a lawyer to help me with the appeal and how would I even begin to defend myself?
A: I sounds like that you should be prepared to file an appeal. There are very good lawyers in Washington DC who handle appeals on unemployment benefits. Talk to any one of them, before the 21 days is up.
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