As of April 1, 2013, the new federal Social Security Tribunal (SST) was officially implemented and began its operations. Moving forward, all appeals for Employment Insurance (EI), the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and Old Age Security (OAS) must be submitted only to the SST. During the first year, the former tribunals will gradually finalize and phase out their operations while the SST will consider all new appeals.
In order to streamline and simplify the appeal processes, the SST was created to serve as an independent administrative tribunal to provide a single point of contact for all appeal submissions and make decisions at arm’s length from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Service Canada and the Canada Employment Insurance Commission. Its mandate for all appellants and Canadians is to ensure that the appeal processes are fair, transparent and impartial under the Employment Insurance Act, the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act.
The SST can:
- answer questions about the process and how it manages your appeal;
- inform you of your appeal’s status; and;
- provide you with appeal forms and information by mail, or refer you to the SST website.
The SST cannot:
- offer you legal advice;
- advise you on what to say in your appeal or submission; or;
- recommend representation for you.
By April 1, 2014, the SST will be the only tribunal considering and deciding on EI, CPP and OAS first and second level appeals.
For more details, visit the Government of Canada’s Social Security Tribunal.
For more information on services in Canada, visit our Service Canada summary page.