Appealing Decisions

 

What if I don't agree with a decision made by Ontario Works?

If at any time you disagree with a decision that has been made you may request an internal review of that decision.  An internal review is an efficient and informal review of a decision to ensure that it is consistent with the legislation, regulations and policy directives.  You must submit your request for an internal review within 10 days of receiving your letter.

When you request an internal review:

• Someone other than the person who made the decision to vary, suspend or cancel your assistance or to deny your application will review the facts of your case and will either confirm or change the decision.

• You MAY receive a call from the person who is reviewing your case.

• You should provide the office with any additional information you have that could help in the review of the decision.

• We must complete the review within (ten) 10 days of receiving your written request for the review.

• You will be informed, in writing, of the internal review decision.

If after the internal review has been completed you still do not agree with the decision you may appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.  You cannot file an appeal with the Social Benefits Tribunal unless you have asked for an internal review first.

 

What if I don't agree with the internal review decision?

If you disagree with the results of the internal review, you may appeal the decision to the Social Benefits Tribunal within thirty (30) days after the internal review decision is made.  You may not appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal until your internal review has been completed. If the internal review is not completed within ten (10) days of your request, you may appeal the decision to the Tribunal within thirty (30) days of the date when the internal review should have been completed.  If you require assistance while waiting for your appeal hearing you may apply for interim assistance.  Eligibility for interim assistance is determined by the Social Benefits Tribunal and not the local Ontario Works office.

You can obtain an Appeal Form from your local office or from the Tribunal.  The address of the Social Benefits Tribunal is:   

 

Social Benefits Tribunal

7^th Floor, 1075 Bay Street

Toronto , Ontario

M5S 2B1

Toll free number 1-800-753-3895

 

The Social Benefits Tribunal will send you a notice advising you of the date, time and location of your appeal hearing.  The hearing will take place at a location in your community.  At the hearing the Social Benefits Tribunal will review your reason(s) for disagreeing with the decision and the Administrator's reason(s) for making the decision.  They will then decide if the decision was correct or if it should be reversed or varied.  A decision will not be made at the hearing.  The Social Benefits Tribunal will notify you in writing of their decision.

 

What is interim assistance?

Interim assistance is financial help you may be eligible to receive while waiting for your appeal to be concluded.  The Social Benefits Tribunal may order that you receive interim assistance if you will experience financial hardship as a result of the original decision made by your local Ontario Works office.  To assess your request for interim assistance the Tribunal will require detailed financial information.  You may apply for interim assistance using the Appeal Form.  You will be notified in writing of the Tribunal's decision regarding interim assistance.

If you lose your appeal, your interim assistance shall be assessed as an overpayment on your file and you will be required to repay some or all of the assistance that was issued to you.