Social Assistance Appeals

Internal Review

Ontario Works applicants/recipients have the right to appeal any decision to cancel, refuse, reduce, vary or suspend their benefits. All decisions will be sent in writing with detailed instructions on how to request an Internal Review.

The request for an Internal Review must be submitted to an Ontario Works office within thirty days of the date of the decision. The Internal Review process is completed by a member of the Ontario Works management team who was not involved in the initial decision.

Individuals will be notified in writing of a decision within ten business days of receipt of the internal review request. If the applicant/recipient disagrees with the results of the internal review, instructions on how to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal are provided.

The Social Benefits Tribunal

If an applicant/recipient disagrees with the results of the internal review, an appeal can be submitted to the Social Benefits Tribunal within thirty days of the Internal Review decision.

The Social Benefits Tribunal will not hear any appeal unless an Internal Review was first completed by the local Ontario Works office. Decisions made regarding eligibility for Discretionary Benefits for are not appealable to the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Social Benefits Tribunal Appeal Forms are available at your local Ontario Works office or by contacting the Social Benefits Tribunal directly at:

Social Benefits Tribunal
1075 Bay Street, 7th Floor
Toronto ON M5S 2B1
Toll Free 1-800-753-3895
Fax 416-326-5135
http://www.sbt.gov.on.ca/

If assistance is needed with appeals, Community Legal Assistance may be able to help and can be contacted at:

Community Legal Assistance Sarnia
First Sarnia Place
201 Front St. North, Unit 407
Sarnia ON N7T 7T9
Toll Free ‎1-888-916-2527 or 519-332-8055