5. Learn if you can appeal to the SBT
Question & Answer
Can I appeal a decision about ODSP?Some decisions about from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) can be appealed to the (SBT).
But even if you can appeal to the SBT, you have to first ask for an . See Step 2.
Decisions you can appeal
You can appeal to the SBT if the decision is about:
- qualifying financially for income support
- qualifying as a person with a disability
- qualifying as someone who does not have to prove that they’re a person with a disability
- changing the amount of income support you get
- having your income support cut off
- having an
- sending your cheque to a trustee
You can also appeal other types of decisions that affect you, such as whether:
- you or someone you live with qualifies for a special diet allowance
- ODSP will pay benefits for certain costs related to a disability, such as costs for a guide dog, hearing aids and mobility devices, and the part of the cost for an assistive device that's not covered by the government's Assistive Devices Program
- ODSP will give you an employment and training start-up allowance to pay for certain costs related to working or training
- ODSP will pay for certain health care supplies or travel costs that you have for medical reasons
Decisions you cannot appeal
You cannot appeal to the SBT if the decision is about:
- giving you a date for a medical review to check if you still qualify for income support as a “person with a disability”
- getting “discretionary benefits”, such as paying for a funeral
- making payments to someone else, for example, if ODSP decides to pay your rent directly to your landlord
- refusing to give you extra time to ask for an internal review
If a decision cannot be appealed
Even if the law says that a decision can't be appealed, you can still ask for an internal review.
Explain why you think the decision should be changed and include any information that supports your reasons.
If you were refused extra time to ask for an internal review, talk to a community legal clinic about other things you might be able to do.
If you’re not sure
If you're not sure if you can appeal the decision, you can still start an appeal.
Talk to a community legal clinic if you want to appeal a decision but aren't sure if you can.