The Board of Review is an autonomous, quasi-judicial agency created by Rhode Island General Law. Our primary function is to hear and render decisions on appeals arising from the Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Unemployment Insurance and Temporary Disability/Temporary Caregivers Insurance divisions, and from employers on certain contested tax status issues. The Board of Review is statutorily independent from the Department of Labor and Training.
When an individual is separated from employment, DLT makes an initial determination of eligibility for benefits through a fact-finding interview with the employee (claimant) and the employer. An appeal can be made by the claimant when the benefits have been denied, or by the employer when benefits have been awarded to the claimant. Once an appeal is made, the case enters the jurisdiction of the Board of Review and a hearing is scheduled before a hearing officer (Referee). Your right to appeal to the full Board of Review is also discussed on this site. This site offers general information and does not have the force or effect of law or official regulations.
Please Note: Interpreters are available for your hearing at NO COST TO YOU. For more information concerning this please contact the Board of Review at (401) 462-9400.
Board Members:
Christopher Fierro, Chairman, representing the Public
File an Appeal
When to Submit an Appeal - You must file your appeal within 15 calendar days of the mailing date on the initial Department decision.
Appeals from the initial Department decisions must be filed by letter, fax or phone to the Central Adjudication Unit of the Department of Labor and Training, 1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920, phone: (401) 462-8300, fax: (401) 462-8318.
Appeals from a Referee's Decision to the Board of Review must be filed in writing directly with the Board of Review within 15 days of the mailing date in the Referee's decision: Board of Review Center General Complex 41 West Road, Hazard Bldg., 1st Floor Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462-9400 Fax: (401) 462-9401, email DLT.BORinfo@dlt.ri.gov.
Unemployment Compensation appeal hearings are called "de novo", which is latin for "from the beginning". This means your hearing will be impartial and independent of the initial decision that granted or denied your benefits. The Referee who conducts the hearing is not bound by the initial decision rendered by the Department.
Your Scheduled Hearing - You will receive a Notice of Referee Hearing, stating when, where and what the issues are to be discussed when the appeal hearing takes place. Your hearing may be held by telephone.
Carefully note the DATE, TIME, and LOCATION of the hearing. You must make every effort to attend the hearing. Only if you have a very important commitment that absolutely cannot be changed should you request a postponement. Generally, hearings will not be postponed for personal reasons, vacations, plant closing or business appointments.
Your heaing may be a telephone hearing. If it is a telephone hearing, you will receive a copy of all documents in your file.
File an AppealThe Process
There are several steps that occur prior to a claimant or an employer appealing to the Board of Review. The diagram below illustrates the process from the time an employee/claimant files a claim for unemployment/temporary disability insurance through the Board of Review process.
Decisions made by the three-member Board are usually rendered fairly quickly, both parties are notified of the outcome.
This flow chart is a simplified illustration of the process a person may go through when they file a claim - there may be several other steps, depending on whether the claim is for unemployment or temporary disability.
Directions
- The Board of Review is located at
- Center General Complex
- 41 West Road, Hazard Building, #74, 1st Floor
- Cranston, RI, 02920