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Updated September 16, 2008

APPEAL PROCESS

• A single-level independent Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal ensures unbiased, fair and transparent decision making.
• Clients who wish to appeal a decision made by the ministry are encouraged to first discuss the decision with their worker.
• If the client and worker still disagree, the client may seek a reconsideration of the decision.
• In most circumstances, a client may appeal the reconsideration decision to the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal.
• The Appeal Tribunal is an independent public body.
• The Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal Chair and Vice-Chairs are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
• The Appeal Tribunal Chair is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Appeal Tribunal.
• The Appeal Tribunal members, recruited throughout British Columbia, including smaller and rural communities, are appointed by the Minister.
• The Appeal Tribunal Chair selects panels of three Appeal Tribunal members to hear appeals in all parts of the province.
• Most appeal hearings are in person, but teleconferencing may be used. When both parties agree, the appeal can be made by written submissions.
• Clients must ensure that all information and documentation is with the ministry at the time of reconsideration.
• The Appeal Panel conducts an "appeal on the record" based only on the evidence before the ministry at reconsideration.
• The Appeal Panel has the power to confirm or rescind the ministry decision, but not the power to replace the ministry decision with one of its own.
• More information is available on the Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal website at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/eaat/.

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