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Legal Aid Resources

People appealing CPP or OAS decisions are not required to have a lawyer for their Review Tribunal hearing. Many people, however, do decide to get someone to help them. This could be a lawyer, paralegal worker, community advocate or friend.

Legal Aid Contacts

The OCRT cannot pay the costs of lawyers or other advocates who help with appeals. Legal aid is available in some provinces and territories for low-income persons who need assistance with CPP and OAS appeals. See the Legal Aid Contact List for information about legal aid and student legal clinics.

Referral Services

The OCRT does not recommend individual lawyers or other advocates. Community agencies, organizations that help persons with disabilities or seniors, unions, family members and friends may be able to recommend a lawyer or advocate. The law societies and public legal information associations in some provinces and territories offer a lawyer referral service. Usually, they can refer you to a lawyer who will provide an initial half-hour consultation for a small fee or no fee. See Referral Services for information about lawyer referral services.

Tell us about more resources

The OCRT is compiling a list of community and advocacy organizations that provide free assistance with CPP or OAS appeals. If you are aware of such an organization, please let us know about it by contacting info@ocrt-bctr.gc.ca.