ODSP or Ontario Works Denied or Cut Off? How to Appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal
If ODSP or Ontario Works has denied, reduced, suspended, or cut off your assistance, you can challenge it — but there are two deadlines, both 30 days, and yo...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to appeal an ODSP or Ontario Works decision?
There are two, and both are 30 days. First you must request an internal review within 30 days of receiving the written decision. If that does not resolve it, you then have 30 days from receiving the internal review decision to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal.
Can I go straight to the Social Benefits Tribunal?
No. The internal review is a mandatory first step for both ODSP and Ontario Works. Skipping it is the most common reason appeals fail before anyone even looks at the merits. Request the internal review first, within 30 days.
Does it cost anything to appeal to the Social Benefits Tribunal?
No. There is no fee to file an appeal with the SBT. You appeal using the Appeal (Form 1), which is available online, at any ODSP or Ontario Works office, and at community legal clinics, and you can file it by email, mail, or fax.
What evidence wins an ODSP disability appeal?
Medical evidence that describes function, not just diagnosis. The test asks whether a substantial impairment expected to last a year or more substantially restricts your ability to work, care for yourself, or take part in community life. Reports that spell out concretely what you cannot do — and for how long — are far more persuasive than a diagnosis alone.
Can I get assistance while my appeal is pending?
Possibly. The Tribunal can order interim assistance in appropriate cases, meaning assistance paid while the appeal is still going. If you have been cut off and cannot wait, raise it right away — do not assume it will be offered to you.
Can I get free help with an SBT appeal?
Yes. Community legal clinics represent people at the Social Benefits Tribunal at no cost, and it is core work for them — contact Legal Aid Ontario to find your local clinic. Licensed paralegals can also represent you, which may make sense if a clinic cannot take your file or there is a conflict.
Contact Legal Assist
Legal Assist Paralegal Services — Licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Serving London, Ontario and Southwestern Ontario. Call 226-272-5153 or email general@legalassist.london for a free consultation.