California Unemployment Board reports reduced appeal workload and improved case processing times

In a recent meeting of the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB), officials discussed significant developments in the agency's operations and the ongoing challenges posed by economic fluctuations and natural disasters. The meeting, held on March 20, 2025, highlighted the board's efforts to stabilize its workload and improve efficiency in processing unemployment appeals.

Chief Koutre opened the meeting by expressing gratitude for the leadership guiding the agency through turbulent times, referencing past challenges that required innovative solutions. He reported that the incoming appeal workload had stabilized, with February showing a decrease in new appeals compared to the previous months. Specifically, the agency's appeal intake was 9% lower than the average monthly intake since the pandemic began in March 2020. This trend allowed the board to reduce its overall inventory of cases by approximately 2,500, with an increase in decisions issued—over 24,000 in February alone.

Despite these improvements, the average case age remains above the desired 30-day mark, currently at 50 days. However, this is a significant reduction from a peak of 164 days, indicating progress in addressing backlogs. The board also moved 800 cases for hearings in the previous month, showcasing ongoing efforts to normalize wait times for claimants.

The meeting also touched on the impact of recent natural disasters, particularly the Los Angeles fires, on unemployment claims. While fewer than 250 appellants were reported under the disaster unemployment assistance program, the full extent of the fires' impact on unemployment claims remains unclear. Data expected at the end of March will provide further insights into any spikes in claims related to the disaster.

In terms of staffing, the board has made limited progress, hiring one new office technician while still facing 16 pending support positions across various offices. Chief Koutre noted that attrition is a normal part of operations, and efforts to fill vacancies will continue.

The meeting concluded with discussions about an upcoming national meeting of the National Association of Unemployment Insurance Appeals Professionals, where best practices and modernization efforts will be shared among states. Judge Bock will represent CUIAB at this event, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and learning from other jurisdictions.

Looking ahead, the board anticipates providing a comprehensive report on its accomplishments over the past five years at the next meeting, which will highlight the agency's resilience and adaptability in the face of ongoing challenges. As the state prepares for potential changes in workforce management due to the governor's orders for state workers to return to in-person work, the board is also planning for necessary adjustments to its operations.

Overall, the meeting underscored the CUIAB's commitment to improving its services and addressing the needs of Californians navigating unemployment, while also preparing for future challenges that may arise.