Pip tribunal

Mumpsy

Hi everyone. Does anyone know please how long I am given to submit my "evidence" for my tribunal date for PIP? 
I've received my paperwork from the courts and been asked to submit written evidence from my carer and GP. However it doesn't tell me what the timescales are. Many thank all x

poppy123456

You could be waiting several months for a hearing date. As long as you send it to arrive within a couple of weeks of the hearing date then that’s fine.
Please also remember that it’s not a court and you’re not on trial. 

Mumpsy

So I'm still waiting for a date for my tribunal hearing. 
But today the DWP wrote to me to say they've received the "evidence" I sent them but that they're still standing by their original decision. I sent them a letter from my doctor and a statement from my husband who is my main carer. Is this just a "standard letter" they send out to everyone prior to a tribunal. Just to put them off ? I don't know what else I can provide in terms of evidence? It's like they're doubting the word of both my husband and my doctor!

poppy123456

No, it's not a standard letter. They are telling you that although you sent the extra evidence, they are standing by their decision not to award you PIP.

Letters from Doctors and GP's aren't the best evidence to send because they don't spend any time with you to know exactly how your conditions affect you against the 12 PIP activities.

Have you given a couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attmepted each descriptor that applies to you? If not then you should do this for your submission for the Tribunal. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. You should aim for at least half an A4 side of paper per descriptor that applies to you.

Other than that you just need to wait for the hearing date. I'm assuming you've asked for either a telephone/video hearing or face to face? Paper based decisions have a very very low success rate.

Mumpsy

I've not been asked if I want to be heard face to face, paper or video link. I'm just waiting on a date. Thank you for your help 

Mumpsy

Does a statement from my husband explaining how he has to help me to dress every day not carry much weight ?  This is the ONLY descriptor I got zero points for 

chiarieds

The DWP may say that they stand by their decision, otherwise you wouldn't be having to appeal to a tribunal. As poppy says, you will have time to submit anything else, but not last minute, as you want the tribunal to have the opportunity of reading what you provide in good time beforehand.

Those real world examples that have been mentioned (if you haven't already done so) matter so much; they make the difficulties you face an individual response about these. If you can't do any of the PIP activities/descriptors 'reliably' then also please mention this. PIP is about your ability to attempt/do an activity 'reliably,' i.e. can you do it safely, to an acceptable standard, repeat as often as would be reasonable to expect, or does it takes you much longer than someone without your disability? Please see here, looking at section 2.2 in particular: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria  tho it's all worth a read.

Do specify that you will appear in person or by phone/video link as the success rate with these is over 70%.

Your husband's statement may likely be helpful, but only you really know how your disability affects you.

Rermember a tribunal is totally separate from the DWP; there will be a judge, probably a Dr., & someone who has am understanding about disability. They just want to find out on the balance of probabilities that it's likely your disability affects you exactly like you've said.

poppy123456

Mumpsy said:

I've not been asked if I want to be heard face to face, paper or video link. I'm just waiting on a date. Thank you for your help 

As chiarieds advised, you should tell them whether you prefer face to face, video or telephone hearing. Please avoid requesting paper based.

A letter from your partner maybe helpful, if it clearly states how your conditions affect you against the PIP descriptors.

Mumpsy

Thank you both that's really helpful x
I got points on EVERY descriptor but not the one for being able to dress myself. This is where I got my husband to explain in his statement about how he helps me, in what ways and Huw often. 
Can I just ask please if you think I need to give "real world" explanations for EVERY descriptor....even the ones I've already been awarded points for? Or only the descriptor where I gained zero points. ? 
I gave lots and lots of explanation in my original pip application, and if I were to do that, I'd feel that I'm just repeating myself in a separate statement you see. Or, do I soley concentrate on the descriptor they have awarded me nothing on? Thank you for all your help xx

poppy123456

Just concentrate on where you think you should have scored points. There's 10 daily living activities so you couldn't have scored points on every one, otherwise you would have had a daily living award. Wasn't you scored just 6 points for this?

Mumpsy

Yes that was me. I just misse out on 2 points as they said I can manage to get dressed without help ! I can't most days ! 

L_Volunteer

Oh no @Mumpsy, how frustrating  Do you feel able to tell them you feel they got this wrong because you can't most days? 

Mumpsy

Yes I am going to try my best. I really am 

L_Volunteer

I hear you @Mumpsy. You deserve better than this and hopefully things will improve for you as soon as possible. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to support you 

Mumpsy

Thank you so much pet 

katrese

had my video hearing yesterday 22.05.2023 I was so nervous scared stressed and axoius I started crying as soon as they started talking as I explained this has been effecting me so long and everyday I just feel now they won’t awared me even tho I have some points but not enough now I am waiting for a descion but I am sure they will say no again I answer the questions well but I kept crying for most of the time and had a mini panic attack  

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poppy123456

katrese said:

had my video hearing yesterday 22.05.2023 I was so nervous scared stressed and axoius I started crying as soon as they started talking as I explained this has been effecting me so long and everyday I just feel now they won’t awared me even tho I have some points but not enough now I am waiting for a descion but I am sure they will say no again I answer the questions well but I kept crying for most of the time and had a mini panic attack  

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Question answered on your thread here. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/106048/pip-video-hearing#latest