2. Gather your evidence
Beware of scams
People have been getting phone calls with a pre-recorded message telling them their Ontario Works account has been deleted.
This is a scam to trick you into sharing your personal information. If you get a call like that, hang up the phone. You can report these calls to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Question & Answer
How do I prepare for an OW hearing at the Social Benefits Tribunal?It's up to you to prove that the Ontario Works (OW) decision is wrong. You do this by presenting that the (SBT) considers in making its decision.
The evidence has to relate to what it is that you need to prove. Evidence includes what you and any other witnesses say and documents that you give to the SBT.
Documents
Whether a document can be useful as evidence depends on the decision you're appealing and what you have to prove.
Here are some examples of documents that might be useful:
- financial records, such as bank statements
- separation agreements, divorce papers, or custody documents
- rental agreements
- records that show attendance at school or a training program
- proof that you've been looking for work, such as copies of job applications or records of job searches
- a letter from a doctor about why you can't do activities that OW wants you to do
Bringing witnesses
You'll be an important witness at your appeal hearing. And you may know someone else who can give evidence that will help you.
You can ask the SBT to require a witness to come to your hearing. You do this using a Request for Summons.
You'll need to do this if the witness:
- isn't willing to come unless they're forced to
- needs an official document, for example, to show their employer why they need to take time off work
If you think you'll need to do this, you may want to contact a community legal clinic for help.
Following SBT rules
The SBT has detailed rules that you have to follow if you want them to consider your evidence.
