4. Go to your hearing

Usually, the SST – Appeal Division sends you a written Notice of Hearing by mail or email after all parties have sent in their arguments.

This notice gives you hearing details. For example, it tells you:

• when your hearing will be
• where your hearing will be
• what type of hearing you'll have

Prepare for your hearing

You need to read the Notice of Hearing carefully and prepare for your hearing. This includes:

• learning about the types of hearings
• reading the documents that the SST sends you
• organizing the appeal documents so you can find things easily

You should also arrange for others to be at the hearing if you need them. For example, this could be an interpreter, support person, your representative, or witnesses.

Make sure that you're ready to:

• explain the mistakes made at the first level of appeal by the EI BOA or SST – General Division
• explain how to fix the mistakes and why
• say which page numbers in the documents support your argument
• respond to arguments from the others at the hearing
• answer questions from the member about your arguments
• talk about the law and appeals that are like yours

On the day of your hearing:

• bring all of the documents related to your appeal
• arrive 30 minutes early if your hearing is in person
• log in 10 minutes early for videoconference or teleconference hearings

Who is at your hearing

In your appeal, you're the appellant because you made the appeal. The respondent is the person defending the decision you disagree with.

The person who makes the decision at the hearing is the SST member.

At the hearing, there will be:

• the SST member,
• you,
• the respondent, and
• others, such as an interpreter, support person, your representative, or witnesses.

Hearings are open to the public so anyone can come and listen.

At the hearing

The SST member will:

• start with an introduction and a summary of the appeal
• tell you what to call them
• explain when each person can speak
• ask you and the other parties questions
• make a decision

Other parties include the respondent, the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, and others involved in the appeal, such as employers and people representing the worker community.