787 KAR 2:030.
Classifying a person as unemployed; appeals.
RELATES TO: KRS
141.065, Administrative Order HR 86-1
STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: KRS 151B.020, 341.115
NECESSITY,
FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 141.065 provides a credit to taxpayers for hiring
a person classified as unemployed. The Department for Employment Services is
required by Administrative Order HR 86-1 to perform all administrative
functions pertaining to the Unemployment Tax Credit Program. The Secretary of
the Cabinet for Workforce Development may adopt rules and administrative regulations
as are necessary to implement the Unemployment Tax Credit Program and as are
necessary to cooperate with the Revenue Cabinet for the proper administration
of the program. The function of this administrative regulation is to establish
when a person is classified as unemployed for purposes of the Unemployment Tax
Credit Program, and to establish the appeals process and general rules for the
conduct of hearings regarding the denial of the unemployment tax credit to a
taxpayer.
Section 1.
Definitions. (1) "Actively seeking work" means a person making a
reasonable effort to obtain work at least sixty (60) days prior to hire as
might be expected of a prudent person under like circumstances, including
occupations, salary, number of employing firms in area and distance involved.
(2)
"Full-time employment" means, for labor market attachment purposes,
if a person worked more than twenty-three (23) hours per week or more than 100
hours per month for at least thirty (30) days prior to the sixty (60) day,
minimum unemployed period.
(3) "Labor
market attachment" means had full-time employment before the sixty (60)
day minimum unemployed period. Self-employment can be used to meet this
requirement.
(4)
"Readily available" means a person who at least sixty (60) days prior
to hire was willing and able to enter into full-time employment; and possessing
the ability to overcome any barriers, including arranging child care, part-time
work or school schedules, transportation, or other conditions that would
prevent an individual from accepting full-time employment.
Section 2. (1) A
person shall be considered "classified as unemployed" for purposes of
the Unemployment Tax Credit Program if:
(a) Prior to the
sixty (60) day minimum unemployment period, the person had prior labor market
attachment; and
(b) During the
sixty (60) day minimum unemployment period prior to being hired was:
1. Not working;
or
2. Employed not
more than twenty-three (23) hours per week; or
3. Employed not
more than 100 hours per month; and
4. Actively
seeking and readily available for full-time employment.
(2) Involvement
in a strike or labor dispute during the sixty (60) day minimum unemployment
period shall not meet the definition of unemployment for purposes of the
Unemployment Tax Credit Program.
Section 3.
Request for Reconsideration. (1) Any party aggrieved as a result of the denial
of the unemployment tax credit to a taxpayer shall request a reconsideration of
the denial by contacting the state tax credit unit. The request for
reconsideration shall be in writing. The request for reconsideration shall be
filed within fifteen (15) days of the mailing date of the denial notice.
(2) The
aggrieved party shall submit any additional information to be considered during
the reconsideration process in writing within ten (10) days of the mailing date
of the request for reconsideration.
(3) The state
tax credit unit shall issue its decision within forty-five (45) days of receipt
of the request for reconsideration. Upon reconsideration, a certificate may be
issued or a second denial letter stating appeal rights for a formal hearing may
be issued.
Section 4.
Appeals to Hearing Officer. (1) Within fifteen (15) days of the mailing date of
a second denial notice, an aggrieved party shall file a written request for
hearing with the state tax credit unit. Upon receipt of the written request for
hearing, the Secretary of the Cabinet for Workforce Development shall appoint
an impartial hearing officer to hear and decide appealed denials.
(2) A hearing
shall be scheduled and commenced within sixty (60) days of receipt of the
request for hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be mailed by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the parties.
(3) Prior to the
formal hearing, and upon seven (7) days written notice to all parties, the
hearing officer may hold a prehearing conference to consider simplification of
the issues, admissions of facts and documents which will avoid unnecessary
proof, limitations of the numbers of witnesses, and any other matters as will
aid in the disposition of the matter. Disposition of the matter may be made at
the prehearing conference, by stipulation, agreed settlement, or consent order.
Prehearing conferences shall be open to the public. A written prehearing
conference report shall be part of the record.
(4) Any party to
a hearing and the administering agency may be represented by counsel and may
make oral or written argument, offer testimony, cross-examine witnesses, or
take any combination of these actions. Depositions shall not be permitted for
the purpose of discovery; however, the hearing officer may authorize
depositions of witnesses who, in his opinion, for good cause shown cannot be
present at the hearing. A hearing officer shall preside at the hearing, shall
keep order, administer oaths, may issue subpoenas, and may admit relevant and
probative evidence, and shall conduct the hearing in accordance with reasonable
administrative practice.
(5) All
testimony at the hearing shall be recorded.
(6) The hearing
officer may place reasonable time limits upon the presentation of testimony,
evidence and argument, and may terminate or exclude irrelevant or redundant
evidence, testimony, or argument.
(7) Within
thirty (30) days of adjournment of the hearing, the hearing officer shall make
written findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a final decision based upon
the record of the proceeding. (22 Ky.R. 499; Am. 912; eff. 11-6-95.)
