Is there a statute of limitations on how long an appeal process takes? It's been nearly 9 months and I still haven't been able to have a hearing for my appeal for my unemployment. (The witness for the employer is hospitalized and can't testify.)

I take it you're not receiving benefits at this point? That's ridiculous. Contact your state representative and see if they can help. Generally speaking, in most court actions, if a witness cannot appear, that's tough cookies for the person calling the witness.

Have you tried calling the agency? I know it's really hard to get through these days, but try later in the week, after about 4:30 p.m. That's about the only time I found where you can even get in the queue to get your call eventually answered.