What happens to Bob's claim due to his failure to appeal within the allowable period?

When an individual fails to appeal a decision within the specified allowable timeframe, the outcome is that the claim becomes final and cannot be appealed. This principle is central to administrative law and the appeals process, as there are strict deadlines in place to ensure timely resolution of claims.

By not adhering to the appeal window, Bob effectively forfeits his right to challenge the decision or argue against the determination made regarding his claim. This finality helps maintain order in the administrative process by preventing indefinite disputes over claims and ensuring that decisions made are conclusive once the time to appeal has passed.

In contrast, the notion of automatic approval does not apply because a failure to appeal does not lead to any positive resolution of the claim. The idea of the claim being deemed ineligible also does not reflect the situation accurately, as the claim might still be valid; the inability to appeal simply means Bob cannot contest the original decision any further. Lastly, the assertion that the claim can be reopened at any time is not consistent with the rules governing appeals, which establish that after a specified period, the decision stands as is without the opportunity for reopening it solely on the basis of missing the appeal deadline.