UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE - HEARING AND APPEAL - REQUEST FOR HEARING - CASE NO. 3

Lesson No. 3 - Timeliness.

It may seem harsh, especially when it appears that the DOL, the Appeal Board, and the courts take so much time in making a decision, but the time limitations for Claimants making a claim, a request, etc. must be strictly complied with. Only rarely will extensions be granted.

I have had many consultations where Claimants have failed to file their request for hearing, failed to file their notice of appeal, failed to appear at hearings, failed to timely file an application to reopen, etc. Claimants must remember to read the Claimant's Handbook, the reverse side of the DOL papers they receive, the DOL and Appeal Board website, etc. in order to protect their claim for benefits. If a Claimant cannot get past the timeliness issue, the merits of their case cannot be determined.