Looking for the "right" words to use in appealing a denial to "back
claim" my application. I was denied based on "failing to report week
ending 9-25-05). I have to file an appeal by 3/17/06.  I was a
w-2 employee up thru 10/04 and then 1099 consultant thru 8/30/05.  If
I filed my claim in sept 05, the base year would have included 26
weeks of w2 earnings.  However, I did not think I was eligible and did
not file until nov 2005.  Per NJUI, claims filed in oct-nov-dec had a base
year of 7-04 to 6-05 - which limited my number of w-2 eligible weeks
to 14 instead of 26.  If I can persuade NJUI to use an alternate base
year - specifically 4-04 to 3-05 - the one used for a sept 05 filing -
this base year would include all w2 earnings and allow me 26 weeks. 
Does anyone know if this is winnable and if so - what words or
approach should I use.

I worked for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for about ten
years. I never heard of any successful appeal which sought to backdate
an initial claim in order to increase benefits. I can't speak for New
Jersey, but in Oklahoma I doubt that you'd have a ghost of a chance.

I really don't want to "back claim", I would instead ask for an
alternative base year...but this may just be semantics..

I've never heard of being able to choose your base year. But, as I
mentioned, I'm familiar with Oklahoma's system, not New Jersey's. In
Oklahoma, your base year is determined by when you file your initial
claim.