How to start a social-benefits appeal in Ontario

This page is a public educational walkthrough. It is not a retainer, a court form, or a promise about your result. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.

1. Read the decision letter first

   It names the program, the date, and how to request an internal review or an appeal. Those dates are short.

2. Ask for the internal review if the letter requires it

   Many OW and ODSP paths need that step before the Social Benefits Tribunal.

3. Keep the letter, the request, and proof it was sent

   A phone call without a date is hard to prove later.

4. The Tribunal hearing is about that decision

   Bring the letter and the records that answer the reason they gave.

5. This site does not submit the appeal for you

   Use the official Tribunal directions linked from public Ontario sites.

Official law on this site: social-benefits.

Disclaimer: Know The Law publishes legal information for the public, not legal advice. Court forms, fees and filing channels change. Read the official statute text and the official form page linked from this guide before you act. We do not represent you and we do not file documents for you. For legal advice, you should contact an appropriate Lawyer or Paralegal specializing in the area of law you need assistance with.