Individual
Advocacy
Navigating the Legal System
Appealing
the Decision of a Government Program
When you require income support or any other form of assistance
through a government program, you will have to fulfill different
eligibility requirements. Within government programs, different
criteria will apply. What is considered to be a disability in
one program may not be considered a disability in another.
You will have to be familiar with the various requirements of
each individual program.
If you feel you do meet the requirements and you have gone through
the process of filling out the appropriate applications but
you have been denied, or you disagree with the amount given
or the date your payment begins, you will have to appeal. To
appeal, you must follow the appeal procedures outlined in the
appropriate legislation or regulations. For example, for Canada
Pension Plan disability benefits, appeals must first go to Reconsideration,
then to a Review Tribunal and then, if leave is granted, to
the Pension Appeals Board. These steps must be followed in this
order - you cannot just go to court.
In the more preliminary stages of an appeal you often won't
require legal help. The assistance of family, friends, or another
advocate who is familiar with the program will be sufficient.
If the appeal continues on to more formal stages with more formal
panels/boards/tribunals/commissions, you will likely require
legal assistance.
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