Social assistance recipients or those applying for assistance have the right to ask for a Review Hearing for any decision made by a social worker regarding benefits and services. The Review Hearings go to the Social Assistance Review Committee. Individuals have the right to ask for a Review Hearing if:

• Their application for assistance was turned down
• They were not allowed to apply or reapply for assistance
• The application was not processed within a reasonable time
• Benefits were cancelled, changed or withheld.

Review Hearing forms are available at all social assistance offices. The Hearing will take place within 30 days of receiving the request for a review or as soon as it is possible to have a quorum to hold the review.

The Social Assistance Review Committee cannot change the social assistance rules but they can decide if the applicant is eligible to receive social assistance and he or she is receiving the correct amount of assistance. If it is determined that nothing about your social assistance status will change, and you don’t agree with the decision, you can appeal to the Courts. Read our Review Hearing  brochure for more information.