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If a Participant disagrees with a determination, he/she must submit an appeal. In order to do so, the Participant must write the Fund Office within 180 days of receipt of the determination and request that the appeal be considered at the next quarterly Appeals Committee Meeting. An appeal must be received within 30 days of the meeting; otherwise, it will be considered at the following meeting. The appeal must state the reasons in writing and include any documentation that may support the appeal. In the event the appeal is denied, and the member wants to file a lawsuit, he/she must do so within 90 days after receiving the notice of denial; otherwise, the claim will be barred. If the member chooses not to appeal but wants to file a lawsuit, he/she must do so within 270 days of receipt of the determination, or their claim will be barred. Note also that failure to seek an appeal may foreclose any further challenge to the Fund’s determination. Learn more about appeal rights.