Legal Remedies and Appeals
An administrative appeal may be lodged against OPEKA administrative acts that reject, wholly or in part, an application for any type of welfare benefit, such as allowances, financial assistance or pensions for uninsured older people; discontinue a benefit; or assess or offset amounts. The appeal must be lodged within three (3) months from the date the relevant act is notified to the person concerned.
OPEKA’s Central Service includes a Directorate of Administrative Appeals, which supports the work of the body that hears appeals from interested parties.
At OPEKA’s Regional Directorates, the relevant process is supported by the Welfare Benefits Granting and Inspection Departments and the Administrative Appeals Departments.
At presentpanels of the Appeals Review Body have been established and are operating in the following Regional Directorates:
Central Macedonia, based in Thessaloniki
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, based in Komotini
Thessaly, based in Larissa
Western Greece, based in Patras
Crete, based in Heraklion
Thecompetent OPEKA Body in Athensreviews administrative appeals against decisions or acts of OPEKA bodies, except those of theCentral Serviceand thefollowing Regional Directorates:
Western Macedonia, based in Kozani
Central Greece, based in Lamia
Peloponnese, based in Tripoli
Epirus, based in Ioannina
Interested parties wishing to appeal an OPEKA decision must complete the special administrative appeal form, which can be downloaded here or obtained from the competent OPEKA services (Central Service or Regional Directorates) and Community Centres.
Please note thatan appeal is not permittedagainst decisions of OPEKA bodies when they are based, on the one hand, on an administrative act of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue or its services finding that the income and property requirements for welfare benefits are not met, or, on the other hand, on a final administrative determination by the competent health committees concerning an applicant’s or beneficiary’s disability and disability percentage.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
I want to appeal a decision rejecting my application for a benefit (such as a disability or housing benefit). Is there a specific form? Where can I get it?
A specific form is available from the competent OPEKA services (the Central Service or Regional Directorates) and Community Centres.
A sample form can also be printed from the OPEKA website.
How can I submit the appeal form?
- You can submit the form in person to the competent service, or
- send it by post, or
- email it to the competent address with any supporting documents attached. If you attach documents to the email, please send them as a single file.
How will I be informed about the review of my appeal?
You will be sent a notice stating the date of your appeal hearing, to the address you provided on the appeal form.
Do I need to be represented by a lawyer at the appeal hearing?
A lawyer is not required. You may be represented by an attorney if you wish.
I have lodged an appeal and have been told that my case will be heard on [date]. I cannot attend on that date. Can my case be heard in my absence, and if so, what can I do?
Your case may be heard in your absence.
If you cannot attend:
- An authorised representative or lawyer may attend and represent you; or
- You may promptly send the service a signed declaration, duly certified, stating that you have been informed of the hearing date and wish your case to be heard in your absence. You may also send supporting documents or a memorandum setting out your views.
My appeal has been heard. When and how will I be informed of the decision?
Once the Single-Member Body has decided the appeal and the required administrative steps for issuing the decision have been completed, the decision is sent by registered post through ELTA to the home address provided on the appeal form.
The Appeals Review Body rejected my request. Can I appeal to the courts, and is there a deadline?
You may appeal to the competent Administrative Courts within sixty days of receiving the relevant decision.
Administrative Appeal Form
