Pro Bono Appeal Wins Disability Income Support at Social Benefits Tribunal

Toronto personal injury lawyer Hudson Chalmers decided to do more to help people who have been denied disability income support and successfully undertook a Social Benefits Tribunal appeal for a deserving client on a pro bono basis.

Appeals are challenging for any Ontario disability lawyer or person denied disability benefits. Chalmers’ excellence in advocating helped secure a favourable outcome on behalf of Krista Gleza.

You can read the full decision here.

Gleza, who was very appreciative of Hudson’s pro bono work, applauded the handling of her disability appeal when she said, “WOW! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You did it!” She continued, “I am very happy about this win that we have — what an experience for us. You did the best job. I knew you did. It was just that I had reservations about it, as I still want to try and be involved in life as long as possible.”

I am very happy about this win we have – what an experience for us. You did the best job.

Krista Gleza, Former client

Chalmers, a graduate of the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law and presently an Associate Lawyer at Will Davidson LLP, believes that this decision “achieved finality on this issue for this client, who now was struggling financially without the support she needed and deserved.”

Everyone at the firm would like to congratulate Hudson on securing Gleza’s disability income support with this impressive decision and wish him continued success.

More about the Social Benefits Tribunal

The Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) hears appeals from people who disagree with a decision that affects the amount of, or their eligibility for, social assistance under the Ontario Works Act or the Ontario Disability Support Program Act. SBT is independent from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the province’s social assistance offices and municipal Ontario Works offices.

SBT decisions are made by adjudicators called vice-chairs or members. SBT adjudicators have experience, knowledge and training in social assistance law and issues. They are more informal than a court hearing. They are often completed in under an hour but some take longer.

The SBT is one of the thirteen tribunals which form Tribunals Ontario. SBT does its work in keeping with the core values of Tribunals Ontario:

• Accessibility
• Fairness and independence
• Timeliness
• Transparency
• Professionalism and public service

You are able to appeal to the SBT when you have been refused social assistance or when your social assistance has been cancelled, reduced or put on hold, or an overpayment has been assessed. But before you appeal you must request an internal review of that decision from the office that made the decision. (via https://tribunalsontario.ca/sbt/what-we-do/)

Contact a Will Davidson LLP Disability Lawyer

If you have been refused disability income support, contact the disability lawyers of Will Davidson LLP today, to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team of disability lawyers will listen to your story, assess the viability of your claim, and explain the next steps in your legal journey.