SBT: News Release
Social Benefits Tribunal Begins Scheduling all Remote Hearings by Video

Beginning September 1, the Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT) is scheduling all future remote hearings by videoconference.

SBT is taking a digital-first approach to dispute resolution to meet the diverse needs of Ontarians and enhance the quality of dispute resolution services but remains flexible in how it delivers services:

• If appellants do not have access to a computer and/or internet or prefer a telephone hearing, they can request a telephone hearing on the appeal form.
• Appellants who believe a video hearing will result in an unfair hearing can request a change to their hearing format, by establishing, at a minimum, that the hearing format will likely cause them significant prejudice.
• Appellants who require an accommodation for an Ontario Human Rights Code-related need, can request an in-person hearing by completing an accommodation request and their request will be reviewed by an adjudicator.
• Appellants who already have a scheduled telephone hearing can ask for their hearing to be switched to video by writing the SBT.

The SBT has revised its Appeal: Form 1 to ask appellants for their email address. SBT will use the address to email the appellant their videoconference link in advance of their hearing. Appellants will continue to receive their notice of hearing by mail.

Video hearings at the SBT will be offered on the Zoom videoconferencing platform. Information on how to participate in a video hearing is available in the Tribunals Ontario Guide to Videoconference Proceedings.

The SBT is committed to providing fair, effective and timely dispute resolution services to the people of Ontario.

Learn More

• Read the Tribunals Ontario Practice Direction on Hearing Formats
• Make sure you have the latest version of Form 1 : Clear your browser cache by holding down the “Ctrl” key and the “F5” key at the same time, or by using Ctrl+Shift+Delete.