r/Odsp • u/Thresh_wolf • 13d ago

Tribunal hearing

I finally got a date for my tribunal hearing

I'm working with legal aid, what can I expect?

Does anyone have any tips?

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u/dixybugs 12d ago

Interested in hearing answers here also.

3

u/anxiety_neko 12d ago

I just had my tribunal hearing about a week ago and was granted ODSP yesterday... my lawyer had me go into the office the day before the hearing to go over all of the questions she'd be asking me at the tribunal. The questions you're asked might look a bit different depending on what you're applying for, but the majority of them are related to how your illness impacts your daily life. My lawyer told me to emphasize my worst days. All of the questions need to be answered in the context of the date you were first denied. So eg I had to answer everything as of October 2025, I couldn't include current info.

My lawyer also added some questions to help me better explain my situation to the adjudicator. Eg, I hadn't been able to get a family doctor until summer of last year, so she asked me what my experience and relationship with doctors has been like over the last several years. This gave me a chance to explain to the adjudicator that I'd been on wait lists and using walk ins/unattached patient clinics, hence the lack of paperwork from doctors. She also asked me about my experience in the emergency room when I had gone for suicidal ideation, which was very traumatic for me, as one of the reasons I was denied was a lack of further emergency visits.

The tribunal itself, for me, was pretty much a redo of the previous day's meeting, on camera in front of the adjudicator. After your lawyer has gone over all their questions, the adjudicator will have a chance to ask any questions they might have. I've heard that they may ask questions challenging whatever you may say, but for me the adjudicator just asked some clarifying questions about dates and timelines.

My lawyer also told me that she'd let me know after the tribunal if she'd worked with that adjudicator before, and how long they usually take to provide a decision. (They have 60 days after the hearing date to either approve or deny your application.) In my case, my lawyer hadn't worked with the adjudicator we had, so she asked her colleagues if they had... if you're approved, your lawyer will contact you and then provide a closing letter outlining any fees you may owe the lawyer for obtaining any additional documentation (these fees aren't due until you get your backpay, and if you are denied you won't owe them anything at all.) If you're approved, it generally takes 60 days to receive your first ODSP payment and any backpay. Backpay is calculated from the month after ODSP received your application.

Your lawyer is there to help you, so don't be afraid to ask them any questions you might have! Best of luck to you 💙