1. Think about what you need to prove

You need to show the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) that the decision about your Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) income support is wrong.

So it's important to know why the Disability Adjudication Unit or the local ODSP office made the decision you're appealing.

What ODSP says about their decision

After ODSP gets a copy of your Appeal Form from the SBT, they have 30 days to fill out a Response to Appeal (Form 3) and file it with the SBT.

You file documents when you give them to the SBT and have followed the rules about how to do this.

ODSP can also do what's called a “written submission”. This means that they explain in writing:

• why they made the decision you're appealing,
• why they think it's correct, and
• what evidence they have that supports their decision.

If the Disability Adjudication Unit or local ODSP office does a written submission, they have to send it to the SBT within the same 30 days.

And they have to send you a copy of whatever they send to the SBT.

If you don't get a copy of a written submission, call the Disability Adjudication Unit at 1-888-256-6758 or your local ODSP office.

You can also contact a community legal clinic for help.

Explaining why you disagree with ODSP

You need to prove to the SBT that the ODSP decision is wrong. How you show this depends on your situation.

If you’re appealing a decision by the Disability Adjudication Unit

The Disability Adjudication Unit decides if you're a person with a disability. So you might need to get more medical information.

If you’re appealing a decision by your local ODSP office

Your local ODSP office makes all other decisions about whether you qualify for income support. So, for example, you might need to prove that:

• you're not living with a partner
• you do not have too much income or own too many assets
• you do not have an overpayment