Income and employment supports – How to appeal

Steps to file an appeal

Make sure to appeal within the 30-day deadline from the date you:

• got the decision in person, by phone or letter, and
• were told about your right to appeal and that you had 30 days to appeal

Step 1. Complete a notice of appeal

You must appeal in writing through option A or B:

A. Fill out an appeal form

• Download: open the Notice of Appeal form in Adobe Reader, read the instructions, fill it in, save it, then print it. Or, print a copy and fill it in.
• Paper copy: contact an Appeals Secretariat office to pick up a form or have it sent to you by email, fax or mail. When you get it, read the instructions and fill it in.
• Make sure the form is signed.
• Include an Authorization form if someone will be acting on your behalf throughout the appeal process.
• Keep a copy for your files.

OR

B. Write an appeal letter

Make sure to include:

• the name, address, email and any phone numbers for you or your guardian or trustee
• a description of the Income and Employment Support (IES) decision you are appealing
• the date you got the IES decision in person, by phone or letter
• the date you were told about your right to appeal the decision and that you had 30 days to appeal
• why you are appealing
• a signature for your or your guardian or trustee

If you want to give another person authority to act on your behalf throughout the appeal process, include a Authorization form.

If you need more time

If you cannot file your appeal within the 30-day deadline, you can ask for more time by sending a letter or email to the Appeals Secretariat asking for more time and including:

• when you got the IES decision you are appealing
• when you were told you had 30 days to appeal
• why you were unable to appeal within the 30-day time limit

The Appeals Secretariat will review your request and decide whether to allow you more time. You will get this decision in writing.

• If you think the Appeals Secretariat’s decision is unfair, you cannot appeal it to the appeal panel. However, you have 2 options:
  • contact the Alberta Ombudsman
  • apply for judicial review
• If you are not allowed more time, your appeal will be closed and it will not go to the appeal panel.

Step 2. File your notice of appeal

Make sure to:

• include your signed Notice of Appeal form or appeal letter and the Authorization form if someone will be acting on your behalf
• include a copy of the IES program’s letter with the decision you are appealing, if you received one
• keep copies of all documents for your own files

Submit your documents by:

• scanning your documents and emailing them to [email protected], or
• mailing faxing or taking them to the nearest Appeals Secretariat office or an Alberta Supports or Alberta Works Centre

After you file an appeal

The IES program will review your documents to see if the matter can be worked out without going to an appeal hearing. Someone from the program may call to ask if you have anything else to add.

If the matter is worked out

• The IES program will contact you to explain the next steps.
• You do not need to continue with your appeal and can choose to withdraw it.

If the matter is not worked out

• The IES program will send you a letter explaining the reasons the decision will not change.
• The Appeals Secretariat will start setting up your appeal hearing. Contact them, if you:
  • need an interpreter since all hearings are in English
  • want to get information about organizations that may be able to help you with your appeal
  • are waiting for any new information related to the appeal
  • want to withdraw your appeal

Withdrawing an appeal

You can withdraw your appeal at any time. This means it is stopped and you no longer want to appeal the IES program’s decision.

Tell the Appeals Secretariat as soon as you choose to withdraw your appeal.

Income and employment supports – Appeal hearing

Contact

If you move or change your phone number, tell the Appeals Secretariat right away. If this does not happen and Appeals Secretariat cannot reach you then:

• the appeal panel may decide you chose to end your appeal without telling anyone – this is called abandoning an appeal
• the appeal panel’s decision that you abandoned your appeal is final
• your right to appeal will end
• your appeal will be closed

Appeals Secretariat offices

Related

• Alberta Adult Health Benefit
• Alberta Child Health Benefit
• Disability-Related Employment Supports
• Funding for academic upgrading and adult learning
• How to pay for your post-secondary education
• Income support program
• Training and employment services