Unemployment Appeals Board reduces case backlog and prepares for national meeting in Kansas

The California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (CUIAB) reported significant progress in managing appeal workloads during its March 19, 2025, meeting. The board noted a stabilization in incoming appeals, with February's intake showing a 9% decrease compared to the average monthly appeal intake since the pandemic began in March 2020. This trend provides an opportunity for the board to further reduce its backlog.

In February, CUIAB issued over 24,000 decisions, marking an increase of approximately 600 from January. This rise in dispositions contributed to a reduction of about 2,500 cases in the overall inventory, bringing the average case age down to 50 days. While this is still above the 30-day target, it represents a significant improvement from a peak of 164 days, especially when compared to the national average of 192 days.

The board also addressed the potential impact of disaster unemployment assistance appeals related to recent fires in Los Angeles. Currently, there are fewer than 250 appellants in this program, and the board is monitoring the situation closely, anticipating data release at the end of the month that may clarify any spikes in unemployment claims due to the fires.

On the staffing front, CUIAB has recently hired one office technician and is in the process of filling 16 additional positions across various classifications. This hiring effort is part of the board's ongoing strategy to manage attrition and maintain operational efficiency.

Additionally, the board discussed the upcoming national meeting of the National Association of Unemployment Insurance Appeals Professionals (NAUIAP) in Kansas, where Judge Bock will represent CUIAB. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange best practices with other states and the U.S. Department of Labor.

As CUIAB continues to improve its operations and address the challenges posed by the pandemic and natural disasters, the board remains committed to enhancing service delivery and reducing wait times for appellants.