Hi, my name is kolin! PIP tribunal next week. Can anyone give me any advice please?

kolin

I have my pip tribunal next week but I'm really worried that they will treat me the same as the assessor did the minute I said I had fibromyalgia it was as if she had stopped listening and only seemed to take my PTSD into account when explaining my reward I'm really upset can anyone give me any advice please.

Albus_Scope

Heya @kolin and welcome to the community. 😊

Please try not to worry too much, I've had a couple of tribunals now for invisible illnesses and I found the tribunals to be totally different to the assessments. The tribunal actually listened to me, let me take breaks when I started panicking and basically treated me like a human being. You'll do great. Just take your time, have some notes of important things you thing need mentioning and just breathe. ❤️

Rachel_Scope

Hi @kolin. Just wanted to also say that I've been through tribunal too and it was so much better than the assessment. They listened to my struggles and my needs and let me take my time. Have you got someone to be there with you?

Autism_at_40

I have had one tribunal and due another one next week. The first one I went in and I didn't find it a pleasant experience. The second I have opted for a phone call.

I hope yours goes well.

kc1978

I went through one, they were fair, they did ask questions, they did ask for clarity, did challenge if they didn't understand, however I found it not a bad as thought. I told them the facts and how I felt the assessor and DWP were wrong and why I felt that they were.

I told them how my disability effected my life, and they acknowledged DWP error.

I say tell them the truth, don't need more than that. Ensure you don't contradict yourself. They asked the same question in slightly different ways throughout my hearing. Mine was quick around 20 mins from entering to getting the outcome.

Good luck 🤞

Nashota

I had 2 for ESA tribunals which I know isn't PIP but these were fine also, from what I recall the panel if that's what you call them were very nice and sympathetic. Definitely better than the assessments in my case, I think I've only ever had one good assessment which was when I first claimed PIP.

Mine were the same as kc, lasted about 20 mins from start to finish.

I hope everything goes well for you.

kolin

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/906306#Comment_906306

My wife will be me I start talking gobledigoog if I get adgetated.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @kolin I'm so glad your wife will be there. My husband was with me and it was good to have the support. My husband was told he couldn't say anything unless they directly asked him a question, which they did at the end, when he was able to make a statement about how my condition affects me. I also have fibromyalgia (and other things) and a lot of people don't understand it and I've encountered people who think it's made up. Your tribunal will include a medical professional on the panel and they should be understanding of your condition.

Hold your wife's hand, take your time, and remember they're just trying to find out how your condition affects you 😊