PIP tribunal - missed deadline to send in evidence due to anxiety / general lack of evidence

dunnowhere2start

Hi,
So my tribunal hearing will take place on the 7th of February - only a few days to go. In the letter I've received I've been asked to send any additional evidence no later than 7 days before the hearing date.
I did supply some evidence with my original claim ( some notes from GP, etc) but reading other people's posts I realise that others have prepared much better evidence which is nearly impossible for me to do in a first place because due to my anxiety I tend to isolate myself from everyone and also don't feel like I deserve help, so it's very hard for me to even make an appointment to discuss my problems, and even harder to ask my GP to write a report on my mental health situation. For the same reasons I am not getting any help from community/ social workers who could potentially write a report on my condition. 
But the very important new evidence (IMO) is the letter drafted by the CAB advisor. It is extremely helpful and states how many points I should be awarded for each activity based on my answers. It is addressed to the tribunal. 
Unfortunately, due to my anxiety it took me ages to even check my email and bring myself to open this letter. I feel like it could be a big game changer in my tribunal hearing, but I've missed the deadline. I was thinking to maybe wait until Monday (earliest opportunity to contact the tribunal, but only 2 days before the hearing ) and phone the tribunal clerk, explain the situation to them and ask if they'll still accept the evidence (it's only a couple sheets of paper so not a lot to go through), or maybe just bring in a few copies of the letter with me and distribute them between the people sitting at the hearing? 
I'm really, really stressed about what I think is lack of evidence in general, but there isn't really much I can do about it because I avoid asking for help and talking about my condition as much as possible 

WhatThe

Hi, I understand completely and I hope the Tribunal does too. Yes you can take copies with you on the day and ring on Monday to see if you can send 

WhatThe

Sorry I posted early and can't edit atm

...the evidence online.

WhatThe

You found the forum in time and will get lots of advice and support before the hearing on Wednesday.

It's admirable that you are doing this and many people don't/can't because it's so difficult and stressful. The Tribunal will see and hear your anxiety for themselves. 

poppy123456

Ideally you should really send them to arrive with HMCTS before the day of the hearing. Yes, you can contact HMCTS to ask if you can take them on the day of the hearing, or you can just take it with you and hope they will agree that you can include it with your evidence. 

For future reference, medical evidence isn't really needed for a PIP award. Many people are successfully awarded without it. 

What is always helpful is your anecdotal evidence. A couple of real world examples of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. If you didn't do this when you filled out the form or wrote the MR letter then you could have done it for the Tribunal stage. 

The only person that really knows exactly how your conditions affect you is yourself. 

tbird

Hi. I had my tribunal yesterday and I took evidence with me andvthe clerk copied it and gave it to the panel. I had also sent two letters via the online portal 2 days prior. I hope this helps.

Jimm_Alumni

Hey @dunnowhere2start, how are you doing? If you are contacting HMCTS today good luck, let me know you have new evidence you would like to submit and that you will bring copies on the day! We have a little advice section on tribunal hearings if you'd maybe like to read up on it, it also contains links to other pages of advice that may help you prepare!