Appealing a decision about social assistance
Is this resource for you?
Read this to learn what you can do if you disagree with a decision about assistance from Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). This can include a decision to:
- refuse to give you financial assistance
- reduce the amount of assistance you get
- cut off your assistance
You may be able to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal. But first you must ask the office that made the decision to review its decision.
Other resources that may help you
- Need welfare? How to apply to Ontario Works explains how to apply to OW, which is for people who need money because they do not have a job or do not make enough money at work
- Disability benefits: Who can get them and how to apply explains how to apply for assistance from ODSP, which is for people with serious health problems
If you speak French
Ask a lawyer or a community legal clinic about your language rights. You may have the right to get government services related to Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) in French.
If you are appealing a decision about your right to social assistance from OW or ODSP, this could mean that you have the right to a hearing before a French-speaking member of the Social Benefits Tribunal, as well as other French language services.
Si vous parlez français
Communiquez avec un avocat ou une clinique juridique communautaire, et informez-vous de vos droits linguistiques. Vous pourriez avoir droit à ce que les services gouvernementaux reliés à Ontario au travail (OT) et au Programme ontarien de soutien aux personnes handicapées (POSPH) vous soient fournis en français.
Si vous avez fait appel d’une décision concernant votre droit à l’aide sociale d’OT ou du POSPH, vous pourriez avoir droit à une audience devant un membre du Tribunal de l’aide sociale qui parle français, de même qu’à d’autres services en français.