Opinion ID: 2034338
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Right to Appeal from Order of Recoupment.

Text: Finally, we consider petitioner's claim that regardless of the timeliness of his notice of appeal with respect to the benefit disqualification which was imposed, he should have been permitted to show the amount of the recoupment which was ordered was incorrect. This argument is based upon the fact that petitioner did appeal within the required time from the order of recoupment. The abstract principle upon which petitioner's argument is based is fundamentally sound. The finality of the December 23, 1980 order on disqualification under the agency rules would make it preclusive as to the basis for disqualification based on principles of finality in administrative adjudication that are akin to the doctrine of res judicata with respect to judicial decisions. See 2 Am.Jur.2d Administrative Law § 497, at 308 (1962); United States v. Willard Tablet Co., 141 F.2d 141, 143 (7th Cir.1944). The December 23, 1980 order would not be preclusive, however, as to the amount of overpayment, as the amount was not determined in that order. Petitioner's notice of appeal should have permitted him to challenge the amount of recoupment provided in the December 30, 1980 order because the notice was timely as to that order. Having accepted petitioner's legal theory as sound, we are nevertheless unable to grant him any relief. This is so because he never attempted to challenge the amount of the recoupment which was ordered either before the agency or in the district court. This circumstance precludes any determination by this court on appeal that the agency erred in refusing to consider such a claim. We have considered all issues presented and find no basis for reversing the order of the district court. AFFIRMED.