Kernrechtsfrage
Whether the Department of the Interior correctly refused to hear the social welfare complaint as time-barred.
Extrahierter Entscheid
Yes. The complaint was filed after the ten-day deadline; the postmark showed 2018-03-20, while the deadline expired on 2018-03-19.
Extrahierte Begründung
Under the applicable rules, the appeal period starts the day after service and filing is timely only if handed to the post office by the last day. The appellant did not prove timely posting: the later signature of B.___ was not sufficiently close in time, was unspecific as to place and time, came from a relative and not an independent witness, and was not placed on the envelope.