R994-403-106a. Good Cause for Late Filing

(1) Claims must be filed timely to insure prompt, accurate payment of benefits. Untimely claims are susceptible to errors and deprive the Department of its responsibility to monitor eligibility. Benefits may be paid if it is determined that the claimant had good cause for not filing in a timely manner.

(2) The claimant has the burden to establish good cause by competent evidence. Good cause is limited to circumstances where it is shown that the reasons for the delay in filing were due to circumstances beyond the claimant's control or were compelling and reasonable. Some reasons for good cause for late filing may raise other eligibility issues. Some examples that may establish good cause for late filing are:

(a) a crisis of several days duration that interrupts the normal routine during the time the claim should be filed;

(b) hospitalization or incarceration; or

(c) coercion or intimidation exercised by the employer to prevent the prompt filing of a claim.

(3) The Department is the only acceptable source of information about unemployment benefits. Relying on inaccurate advice from friends, relatives, other claimants or similar sources does not constitute good cause.

(4) Good cause for late filing cannot extend beyond 65 weeks from the filing date of the initial claim.