Hi guys a question about evidence for appeal

gerrys6

Hi all this is a quick question to ask what should I do in these circumstances. I’ve started my appeal and doing it online.. it’s been accepted and dwp got till next week to respond .. I today got a doctors letter and other evidence to back up my appeal when should I add it to my online appeal ? Before the date for them to reply (I e today) or after they reply?? Thx all geraldine 

chiarieds

Hi @gerrys6 - it won't particularly matter when you add it. Do make sure that your evidence is relevant to the activities/descriptors that are relevent with PIP. If a GP's letter, for example, just lists your diagnoses that have already been mentioned with your claim form or Mandatory Reconsideration, then that wouldn't really add anything.

gerrys6

oh ok it lists my illnesses but adds particular weight to the anxiety which is the thing I wanted highlighted 

gerrys6

And my daughters have written a letter regarding how they see me will this be enough I mean what else could there possibly be to add to it ? 

poppy123456

No one here can tell you if that’s enough of evidence or information to send to support your claim because we don’t know what it says in there. We also don’t know anything about your health conditions or how it affects you. 

Hannah_Alumni

@gerrys6 I am keeping everything crossed for you with your appeal! Please keep us updated  

gerrys6

Hi guys I ve put in my evidence online a letter from my doctor a rheumatologist letter a letter from my daughter an nhs screenshot about my medication as they tried say what I’m on isn’t for anxiety whereas it is in fact for anxiety amongst pain and I submitted another letter I had I only received the whole pack of what they have in their records on me Friday by Saturday they’re texting asking for evidence also  why is it needed for the whole of what they have on my claim to be copied and sent ? I’m only appealing my last pip but there’s so
much paperwork there!! Anyway there are things I disagree with that was never said by me but I’ve said I don’t want to attend the hearing but I also cannot see online what evidence I’ve submitted and they say they ll just let me know when they’ve had the hearing ? The dwp opposed my appeal too what should I do next 

poppy123456

It's normal for them to ask for more evidence, if you don't have the extra evidence then no need to send it.

It's also normal for DWP to oppose you're appeal because if they agreed you were entitled then there wouldn't be any need for a Tribunal.

I wouldn't expect the report to say what you said word for word, that's not what the assessment is there for. It's for them to gather more evidence to support your claim. They then write the report, which is their opinion based on everything you wrote in the form and everything you said during the assessment.

I see you've asked for a paper based hearing. Are you aware that those have a very low success rate of about 5-8%? My advice is to request a telephone hearing if you can and this will give you about a 68% chance of a decision in your favour.

gerrys6

I sent in the extra evidence as I initially sent nothing as i was  trying to gather it together but I cannot see if the evidence I sent in online is what I think I sent I just said I wasn’t attending the hearing (for anxiety reasons) so do I need to specify a hearing one and can I request that online or need to ring up? Thx very much I appreciate everyone’s replies xx 

poppy123456

Everything that's already been sent to support your claim you will receive in the "bundle" when you do receive it you need to take a look through to make sure everything is there. You can then see what you've already sent and what you haven't. Yes, you should only ever send copies, not originals.

You can email HMCTS and ask for a telephone hearing.

gerrys6

Thank you I’ve emailed them just now. 

gerrys6

hi all I phoned and asked for a telephone hearing within a day I checked on my login and the hearing is next week I’m bloody terrified can’t sleep and just started reading the bundle they sent me which is massive and goes back many many years why?? When all I’m appealing is travelling alone to an unknown destination on public transport am I right that is what question 12 is about?? It’s got all abbreviations and legal jargon and I’m very very confused and stressed what will they ask me on the phone I thought it only relates to my last assessment and the fact I said I had abandoned journeys and I cannot get on public transport and don’t go anywhere on my own but I can’t rely on my kids forever they’re gonna leave home aren’t they. 

Should I consult someone to help before hand ? 

gerrys6

Has anyone one else had a telephone tribunal what do they ask you ? 

poppy123456

Ideally you should have checked through the bundle when you received it to make sure everything is there. Yes, they often include evidence from previous claims.

Being unable to use public transport comes under following and planning a journey, which is activity 11 and not 12. 

It would be impossible to tell you what questions they ask because no one knows anything about your case. Each case will be different depending on how your conditions affect you.

Do you have someone to be with you on the day of the hearing? 

gerrys6

No problem 

gerrys6

No I meant 

gerrys6

hi all hi all a telephone hearing is that a video hearing or just talking on the telephone.. my hearing on my appeal is down for 00.00 tomorrow but surely that’s midnight ?? 

poppy123456

Telephone hearing is telephone, not video call. That time will definitely not be midnight, it will be midday. That’s obviously a typo. 

Please don’t be alarmed if you don’t have the decision during the call tomorrow. Sometimes they can’t tell you on the day, they will send you a decision letter within a few days. If you can track your appeal online you maybe able to log in later in the day and see what the decision is.

Good luck and please do come back to let us know the outcome.

gerrys6

Hi all so my hearing should have been at 12 (I assume as my hearing time says 00.00!) no one’s rang me and I’m now on hold for the last 30 minutes trying to find out if I’m down for a telephone hearing I’m extremely nervous been awake all night psyching myself up for the call and it’s not happened ? 

Adrian_Scope

That's frustrating, I hope you hear something soon @gerrys6. Please let us know how you get on.

poppy123456

It's approaching 3 hours since your hearing should have taken place, have you now had that hearing?