The Social Benefits Tribunal hears appeals from people who have been denied
benefits under Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Appellants before the SBT are among the poorest and most vulnerable in
Ontario. The vast majority of appeals are for denials of ODSP, in decisions made
by the Disability Adjudication Unit within the Ministry of Community and Social
Services.
As noted in the materials below, some of the main concerns about the SBT are
about barriers to access caused by over-reliance on
digital platforms for hearings and communications, long delays, and new
appointed members without subject matter expertise or adjudication skills or
experience.