Service Canada: Your Rights

Matters Lawyers Handle in This Sector

• Benefit eligibility decisions
• Overpayment and recovery notices
• Pension and EI determinations
• Processing delays and record corrections

Your Rights

• Reasons for a decision
• Reconsideration within the applicable deadline
• Appeal to the relevant tribunal
• Access to your file

How to Escalate a Matter

1. 1Request for reconsideration

   First formal step, subject to a deadline.

2. 2Social Security Tribunal

   Appeal route for many federal benefit decisions.

Escalation routes and their requirements change. Confirm the current process before relying on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

My benefits were denied — what now?

Request reconsideration within the deadline stated in the decision, and include any documentation that addresses the stated reason. Escalate to the tribunal if reconsideration fails.

What if I'm told I owe an overpayment?

Ask for a written calculation and the basis for it. Overpayment decisions can generally be disputed, and payment arrangements are often available.

This page is educational information about the regulatory framework and your options in this sector. It is not legal advice, contains no complaints, ratings, reviews or rankings, and makes no statement about the conduct of any organization. LegalCounselNearMe is not a law firm and is not affiliated with Service Canada.