A hearing is a meeting held by the Tribunal where you can explain why you think the decision about your social assistance is wrong.  A representative from the office that made the original decision may also be present.  The Tribunal member will listen to both sides and then make a decision.

Hearings are booked for 1½ hours but more time may be required in some cases.  To ensure that enough time is allowed for your hearing, please let your Client Service Representative know if you are bringing a witness or if you know of any other reason you may require more time. This time has been allocated especially for you. It is important for you to arrive on time.

If you do not attend, the hearing will go ahead as scheduled and you will not have a chance to present your case.  If the Tribunal does not hear your reasons for appealing, it is almost certain that you will lose your appeal.

Hearings are held throughout Ontario.  Your hearing will be held in your community or in a nearby community.  If you think that you will have difficulty getting to the hearing you should contact your Client Service Representative as soon as you receive your Notice of Hearing

You do not get paid for being at the hearing.

A member of the Social Benefits Tribunal will introduce those attending the hearing.  You will be asked to swear or affirm that you will tell the truth.  You will present your case first.  A representative from the office that made the original decision may ask you questions if they are at the hearing.  The Tribunal member may ask you questions. A representative from the office that made the original decision will present their case second.  You will have the opportunity to ask the representative questions. You may make a final statement and the representative from the office that made the original decision will make a final statement. The Tribunal member will not give their decision at the hearing.

There are a number of documents that you may wish to present at your hearing.  Please ensure that copies of these documents are sent to the Tribunal and to your local office or Disability Adjudication Unit.

 

For a list of some of the documents click here.

The Social Benefits Tribunal will send you a Notice of Hearing within 60 days from the date the Tribunal received your Appeal Form. The Notice of Hearing will advise you of the date and time of the hearing.

The Tribunal will proceed in your absence. Generally, the Tribunal does not reschedule appeals except under very special circumstances.  Please contact your Client Service Representative for further directions.

Your appeal will be rescheduled as soon as an opening becomes available.

In extenuating circumstances, the Tribunal may be willing to arrange an alternate form of hearing.

When you fill out the appeal form, you are asked near the bottom of the second page if you need an interpreter.  If you have not filled this part of the appeal form out, contact your Client Service Representative and let them know what language and specifically the dialect you require.   The Social Benefits Tribunal will provide an interpreter at no cost to you.  

If you have special needs, please contact your Client Service Representative, and explain what you require.  You should try to do this well in advance of the hearing date. The Tribunal accommodates special needs.

Outside of the hearing, the Tribunal member cannot speak to you or to the representative from the office that made the original decision about your case.  This is to make sure that the member is impartial so that both parties can have a fair hearing.