The DAU looks for objective evidence. This includes specialist reports, hospital records, lab results, and psychological assessments.
Once your package arrives at the DAU, it follows a structured workflow:
The Disability Adjudication Unit is a centralized office of health professionals and specialized decision-makers. Unlike local ODSP offices, which handle the financial aspects of an application (income and assets), the DAU focuses exclusively on the medical criteria. odsp adjudication unit
Staff check that the forms are complete. If a doctor has missed a signature or a section is blank, the package may be returned, causing significant delays.
The ODSP Adjudication Unit is known for a high rate of initial denials. Common reasons for rejection include: The DAU looks for objective evidence
If the Internal Review is also a "No," you can appeal to the SBT. This is an independent body where you can testify in person or via video, which often results in a higher success rate than the paper-only DAU process. Contacting the Unit
Relying solely on a family doctor when a specialist (like a psychiatrist or neurologist) could provide more detailed evidence. Unlike local ODSP offices, which handle the financial
The impairment must be significant, not minor or fleeting.
For applicants, the AU is a double-edged sword.
The DAU does not simply look for a diagnosis. Under Section 4 of the Act, an adjudicator must confirm that the applicant has a physical or mental impairment that meets three specific criteria: