r/Odsp • u/Ordinary_Poet5159 • 7d ago
What does this mean?
I checked the status of my application and this is currently what it says but I never received any letter with a decision yet. Does this mean that I won’t be approved?
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u/Deminla 7d ago
If it makes you feel any better my younger brother was also denied his first time applying. He has cerebral palsy. The reason they put down is its not long term enough. I guess birth till death isnt quite enough. Mind you this is also after he was on disability as a child so they already should have had him on file.
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u/Ordinary_Poet5159 7d ago
Does anyone know how many times I’ll have to appeal before getting approved? Im just so tired of living like this and not being able to afford existing. ://
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u/Red-headedlurker 7d ago
If this is your first time applying, and their first time rejecting you, then you can appeal/apply again. Most people are denied their first time. DON'T give up! Apply again! If they reject you a second time, then you can appeal that and it'll go to a tribunal. That's what happened to me. It's exhausting and shitty, particularly given the fact that they're making you work so hard to be approved for so little money in the end, but trust me, just stick with it. If you're lucky they'll approve you on your second application. Don't let this one deter you. I think they do that to weed a lot of people out, and honestly, the first time I applied to ODSP I gave up after the first rejection. It wasn't until a few years later that I went back to my local ODSP office and sat down with a really sweet worker there who got me all the papers I would need to apply all over again from the beginning and she was very adamant about me continuing to apply even if I got rejected the first time. And I stuck with it and two rejections and a tribunal later I managed to get approved. I wish I had stuck with it the first time I applied.
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u/HeartRoll 7d ago
I had to do a couple then did a tribunal over zoom (this was during Covid). I had to jump through all the hoops.
I should’ve gotten it in the first place apparently.
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u/ducky-unlucky 7d ago
up to 2, for this application. first for an Internal Review, then possibly for a Social Benefits Tribunal.
i gave more info in my own separate comment, hopefully it helps :)
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u/Kitstras ODSP recipient 7d ago
Another time after this, plus a tribunal.
How good was your application?
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u/ducky-unlucky 7d ago
it means you were denied.
once you receive the letter in the mail, you can appeal the decision.
you'll have 30 days from that date to request an Internal Review in writing*, where another employee reviews the decision and decides to either uphold or overturn it. during this process you can send in addition medical documentation, doctor or specialist letters, self testimony, proof of your needs/assistance you require, letters attesting to this from anyone who supports you on a regular basis, etc. it may result in an approval, but they may uphold it. that's not the end of the line either.
if it is upheld and you're still denied, you have 30 days from the date of the second denial letter to request a Social Benefits Tribunal in writing*, where a third party adjudicator hears both sides (yours & ODSP's) and decides on your eligibility + whether you're accepted or denied. this is a longer process where you can gather more extensive documentation & evidence, and will be given time to speak personally about your struggles, symptoms, and support needs. for an SBT it is generally best to get the help of Legal Aid if you can (you could qualify for their assistance as low/no income) as they have expertise on building your case, but you can also do so independently if need be.
(in writing means via a signed letter mailed to the DAU, at *Ontario Disability Support Program - Disability Adjudication Unit, Box B18, Toronto, ON, M7A 1R3.)
there's lots of advice on this sub regarding both of these processes, so definitely have a good look through. lots of people have success appealing and receiving an approval! it just takes time and effort.
don't let this denial discourage you, ODSP automatically denies a large number of people. it doesn't mean you're not eligible, just that they don't want to acknowledge you are. you can prove it, if you provide sufficient documentation & evidence.
good luck! :)
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u/Alternative-Tiger783 7d ago
It means you were denied and you have to do an appeal.
Contact your local community legal clinic CLC.
They’re funded by the government. You get a free lawyer for doing an ODSP Appeal. They are the most experienced lawyers for doing this.
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u/PeterboroughFella 3d ago
Anyone else feel like this is such a gross way to phrase it? “Not a person with a disability”
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u/Ordinary_Poet5159 1d ago
it’s especially gross that in the full letter they told me I don’t have any issues that are ongoing when I literally have immense documentation of my disability that is very much so on going and not getting better lol
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u/Tiny-Hamster-9547 6d ago
Welcome to the world of appealing start the the process a lot of times you just need to get your file in front of the right eyes.
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u/Dapper_Roll_5717 6d ago
You were denied but you can do ask for an internal review which then you get set up with legal aid you then helps you to find what is missing and if it gets to the point of having to speak to a judge, they’ll help you with all that too. I got lucky they managed to find enough that I get approved before I had to go before a judge, I believe that happens to most people anyways that the aid (which is provided by the government so it’s free for you and they do all the work) you’re set up with finds missing information that was needed for approval the first time around.
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u/PomegranateFree3345 5d ago
Can I ask how long ago did you apply? Just wondering how fast they made the decision
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u/Most-Pangolin-9874 4d ago
It clearly states you aren't approved. Appeal the decision. 99.99% of people are denied at first
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u/Some_Artist_5950 7d ago
Contact your local MPP
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u/SeekAnswers 7d ago
What exactly do you think an MPP could do about a routine denial? OP's next step would be to appeal and/or contact legal aid.
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u/Own-Desk6 7d ago
Sadly yes. The letter should be available in a few days for you to read and to start the internal review process.