Unless an appeal pursuant to § 61-7-5 is withdrawn, an appeal referee after affording the parties reasonable opportunity for fair hearing, shall affirm or modify the findings of fact and decision of the benefit section. The parties shall be duly notified of such referee's decision, together with its reasons therefor, which is the final decision of the Department of Labor and Regulation, unless within fifteen days after date of notification or mailing of such decision, further appeal is initiated pursuant to § 61-7-12.
SDCL 61-7-10