Pip tribunal video hearing

traceywoodall1994

Hi there,
Can anyone give me any advice on what to expect in a video tribunal hearing and what questions they might ask. I've been waiting a long time for this hearing date, it was March 2023 when first put my claim in for pip. Because of my daily struggles and severe pain due to osteoarthritis in my right hip and both hands. I'm quite nervous as I never been in any court or never spoken to a judge? 
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

poppy123456

You will be asked questions related to your health conditions and how they affected you at the time the original assessment took place when you first claimed last year. They will not take into consideration any worsening of condition since then. 

I can't tell you what questions they will ask because it's different for everyone and will depend on how your conditions affect you. 

You can have someone with you during the hearing but unless you have an appointee they will expect you to answer the questions yourself. 

It's not a court, it's a Tribunal and they are a lot less formal than a court. If you didn't hear the question or didn't understand it please ask them to repeat it. 

You may not have the decision during the hearing but please don't worry if this happens. They will send you a decision letter usually within a few days. Or if you were able to track the appeal online some members have been able to log in a couple of hours after the hearing to see what the decision was. Good luck!

Edit to add, you need to make sure you have the bundle with you to refer back to, if needed. 

rebel11

Hi Tracey

Welcome to Scope

(Loads of information on this site)

It's kind of informal, there will 3 panel members (usually a Chairman, a Doctor and a Disability Expert, very rarely someone from the DWP).

The Chairman will introduce the panel members, give guidance on the Hearing, i.e. 'if you don't know something, don't guess, just say 'I don't know'', 'if you need a break, say so', if you don't understand a question and  need it repeated 'say so' etc. 

They will take turns asking you questions, normally it's the Doctor first, the Disability Expert,  then the Chairman may ask a few questions.  

Make sure you've got some water. Remember to give 'real world examples of daily difficulties'. Make some notes on them regards the various descriptors i.e. food, mobility etc. Explain the aids you have to use etc.      

WelshDaffodil

Hi there, I had a video hearing this week and although I was nervous beforehand I found the tribunal itself to be fine and felt quite relaxed once it started.

The clerk rang me approximately 1 hour before, she explained what would happen, checked I had my bundle and explained who would be present. I had a judge, doctor, disability expert and a presenting officer from DWP. I joined the online lobby about 10 mins before the start time as advised in the email but was there for a while as the hearing started 10 minutes late.

The judge then introduced everyone, ran through some formalities and asked me what I felt I should have been awarded. The doctor then asked me questions first and the most of anyone else relating to my condition, daily activities, what specialists I've seen, what treatments have been discussed etc.

The rest of the panel then just had a couple of questions each.  These were a mix of daily activity questions combined with other relevant questions like how do I manage with working (I work 2 days a week from home with adaptations), how was I able to go on holiday etc.

Whilst it was formal, everyone was kind and polite. I never felt uncomfortable or grilled as such, and they all seemed fair questions and I was able to answer everything. It lasted approximately 45 minutes in total but I was asked part way through if I'd like to take a break so the option is there if you need to take a few minutes.

My timeline is similar to yours as I applied Feb 23 and in the days before the hearing I went through the whole bundle a few times highlighting any comments or evidence I felt relevant. I also made brief notes to make sure I mentioned everything I wanted to, including examples of how my disability effects me under the descriptors I had appealed.

I was told a letter would be sent out after the hearing but this was actually updated on the portal approximately 30 mins after and I went from 6 points daily living to 13.

My advice would be just be honest and don't be embarrassed about anything. Take your time answering the questions and have some tissues on standby if you think you may get emotional at any point.

Best of luck with your hearing x

traceywoodall1994

Thank you for your advice. My video hearing is at the end of May, so I've got time to go through everything and my evidence before then..
I sent in a doctors letter to the court when I first sent of the court tribunal appeal in October, i just wanted to know if this will be took in to consideration for evidence on the video hearing?.

poppy123456

If it's relevant then yes but a letter from a GP is not the best evidence to send because they don't spend any time with you to know how you manage the activities related to the PIP descriptors. If they know it's because you told them. 

If you have anything extra to send then you should send that ASAP. If you haven't given any real world examples it's not too late to do that and send it as your submission. Tell them exactly what happened the last time you attempted each descriptor that applies to you. Include detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. 

Albus_Scope

Heya @traceywoodall1994 and welcome to the community.

I've had a few tribunals now and I can say they're worlds apart from the assessments, so please try not to worry too much. They were all super kind.  Best of luck, will you let us know how you get on please? 

traceywoodall1994

Thanks for the advice and vote of confidence, it was needed, I've been so worried about the video hearing process that I haven't been sleeping well, with the server pain I'm in constantly, I need my sleep. Thank you everyone for your help.