What happens at a Social Benefits Tribunal OW appeal?
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
What happens at a Social Benefits Tribunal OW appeal?4. Present your evidence and reasons you disagree with OW
You have to convince the (SBT) that the Ontario Works (OW) decision you're appealing is wrong.
The SBT member makes a decision based on the evidence from you and OW. Evidence includes what witnesses say and documents that have been filed with the SBT. Witnesses must promise to tell the truth.
You file your documents when you give them to the SBT and have followed the rules about how to do this.
You're an important witness at your hearing. When you give your evidence, this is called “testifying”. If you have other witnesses, they also testify.
You can also ask your witnesses questions.
The SBT member can ask witnesses questions.
And if OW sends a Case Presenting Officer to the hearing, they can also ask witnesses questions.
After the evidence
After all the evidence has been presented, you can explain to the SBT member why you think the decision you're appealing is wrong.
The Case Presenting Officer can also say why the SBT should not change the OW decision.
