Former DLS client“We will always be grateful for your humanity and generosity. Of the lawyers we made contact with, there were very few like you who were human first, lawyer second.”
What We Do
We help with a range of problems related to disabilities, the health care system, and social assistance.
We can:
- Answer questions about social assistance programs (Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, Guaranteed Income Supplement), the Disability Tax Credit, and the Canada Disability Benefit;
- Provide representation before hearings before the Social Benefits Tribunal about benefit denials, benefit cut-offs, and overpayments;
- Answer questions about powers of attorney, guardianship of property or personal care, and medical decision-making. In appropriate cases, represent clients in making or revoking powers of attorney, and either commencing or responding to a guardianship application;
- Make complaints against attorneys and guardians, including the Public Guardian and Trustee, and request accounts;
- Represent clients in cases before the Human Rights Tribunal, when referred by one of our community partners.
On a case-by-case basis, we consider referral requests from legal clinics and community agencies of clients with complex problems related to disability and health.
What We Don't Do
- Appeals of decisions by the Social Benefits Tribunal, if we did not represent you at the SBT hearing;
- SBT hearings that are scheduled less than two months away;
- Disability accommodations at the University of Toronto (you would speak with the University Affairs division about a possible academic appeal);
- Other legal issues not named above. We often hear from people who hope that we can provide them with services in other areas (like motor vehicle litigation or contract disputes) because they are people with disabilities. Unfortunately, we can’t do this!