UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - HEARING & APPEAL

Although technically I could have also made an application to reopen under Section 463.6 of the Appeal Board rules, I chose to file a Notice of Appeal to the Appeals Board under Section 463.1. Here are the two statutes involved:

"Section 463.6 Reopening.

(a) On its own motion or on application duly made to it, the board, in its discretion, may reopen a decision.

(b) On its own motion or on application duly made to it, the board, pursuant to section 534 of the law, may modify or rescind its order, decision or determination. If an application for such reopening is not received by the board or postmarked within 30 days after such order, decision or determination, the application must contain an explanation for the delay. If good cause for the delay has not been established by the explanation, the board may, without further notice to the parties, deny the application by an order which shall be sent to all parties. If an application is not denied by an order of the board for this reason, notice of reopening or notice or receipt of the application to reopen shall be sent to all parties and their duly designated representatives. The notice shall advise the parties of their basic rights while the reopening is pending. The parties shall have the same rights as those set forth in sections 463.1 and 463.2 of this Part with regard to an appeal. The board may, in its discretion, schedule a hearing for argument or to receive further evidence. The board may adhere to, modify or rescind its prior decision or may deny the application to reopen.

(c) On its own motion or on application duly made to it, the board, pursuant to subdivision 3 of section 620 of the law, may modify or rescind an administrative law judge decision, where no appeal was duly taken. If an application for such a reopening is not received by the board or postmarked within 25 days after the administrative law judge decision, the application must contain an explanation for the delay. If good cause for the delay has not been established by the explanation, the board may hold a hearing, upon due notice to all parties, regarding the timeliness of the request for the board to reconsider the administrative law judge decision. The board may, without further notice to the parties, dismiss the appeal or deny the application by an order which shall be sent to all parties. If an application is not thus dismissed or denied, notice of reopening or notice of receipt of the application to reopen shall be sent to all parties and their duly designated representatives. The notice shall advise the parties of their basic rights while the reopening is pending. The parties shall have the same rights as those set forth in sections 463.1 and 463.2 of this Part with regard to an appeal. The board may, in its discretion, schedule a hearing for argument or to receive further evidence. The board may affirm, modify or reverse the administrative law judge decision or may deny the application to reopen.

(d) Whenever the board reopens a decision pursuant to this section, it shall state the reasons therefor in its decision.

Section 463.1 Notice of appeal.

(a) Generally. In any notice of appeal, the party appealing should state the reasons therefor.

(b) By claimant. A claimant may appeal, pursuant to section 621, subdivision 1 of the law, by filing a notice of appeal at the designated local office, or at any office of the administrative law judge section, or at the office of the appeal board, within 20 days after the mailing or personal delivery of the administrative law judge decision.

......................."