§405.20 Good cause for extending deadlines.

(a) If you wish us to extend the deadline to request a review under §405.210, a hearing under §405.310, action by the Decision Review Board under §405.427(a), or judicial review under §§405.501-.505, you must establish that there is good cause for missing the deadline. To establish good cause, you must show us that—

(1) Our action misled you;

(2) You had a physical, mental, educational, or linguistic limitation(s) that prevented you from filing a timely request; or

(3) Some other unusual, unexpected, or unavoidable circumstance beyond your control prevented you from filing a timely request.

(b) Examples of circumstances that, if documented, may establish good cause include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) You were seriously ill, and your illness prevented you from contacting us in person, in writing, or through a friend, relative, or other person;

(2) There was a death or serious illness in your immediate family;

(3) Important records were destroyed or damaged by fire or other accidental cause;

(4) You were trying very hard to find necessary information to support your claim but did not find the information within the stated time period;

(5) Within the time limit for requesting further review, you asked us for additional information explaining our action, and within 60 days of receiving the explanation, you requested a review;

(6) We gave you incorrect or incomplete information about when and how to request administrative review or to file a civil suit;

(7) You did not receive notice of the determination or decision; or

(8) You sent the request to another Government agency in good faith within the time limit, and the request did not reach us until after the time period had expired.