PIP Tribunal

annih

Hi.  I used to receive DLA (both components), then PIP took over and they only awarded me the daily living. However this has reached review and they scored me zero points. I did the mandatory reconsideration and was again awarded zero points. They said my diagnosis;s do not have symptoms despite me showing evidence .  I have CPTSD. uncontrolled dissociation, anxiety, chronic migraines, Coeliac disease and Ibs.     My therapy with a psychologist ended after years seeing the same therapist as he wanted me to do EMDR , the therapist who did this however refused to start the sessions as she had witnessed me dissociate a few times and her team agreed it would be too dangerous to try EMDR whilst was not controlled.  Since then 2 years have passed and I have been pretty much out of the mental health teams support as the only offer they could give me was to add me to a local coffee group despite me explaining my symptoms made that impossible for me.    Anyway, the citizens advice helped me with the tribunal appeal form but I am now worrying myself sick thinking about the actual panel hearing.  Is there someone I can ask to sup[port me through this and attend it with me or do i need to already have a CPN nurse ?   

mikehughescq

Go back to Citizens Advice and ask. Otherwise look to see whether you have a local authority welfare rights service or an independent advice centre. The decision of the appeal hearing will not be determined by either the number of your impairments or the type of professionals you’re currently involved with or not. It’s the consequences which matter.

Matilda

@annih

In the search box at the top of this page type: 'PIP tribunal hearings' and a long list of relevant posts will be shown.

Disability Rights site has a good guide to PIP tribunal hearings, and an even better guide in their Handbook, price £15 from Disability Rights site.

Also Scope Helpline might be able to advise you about support services in your area (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) 0808 800 3333.

You could also phone MIND Helpline (Google it for number) and ask if there is a local MIND that could help you.

Good luck!

mikehughescq

The advice given on available guides is good but what the OP asked for was actual representation. 

Matilda

@mikehughescq

I think you like to be argumentative for the sake of it.

mikehughescq

I think you’re off topic

Are you saying they don’t want representation? That’s what they asked for.

annih

Thank you everyone.  I was so overwhelmed i didn't know where to start.  Thanks to you  I now have points to look at .  Im very grateful. xx

steve51

Hi @annih

A very very big welcome to you to our community.

Please please let me know if there is any help/support that I can offer you ????

Thanks.

keira

mikehughescq said:

Go back to Citizens Advice and ask. Otherwise look to see whether you have a local authority welfare rights service or an independent advice centre. The decision of the appeal hearing will not be determined by either the number of your impairments or the type of professionals you’re currently involved with or not. It’s the consequences which matter.

Mike, can I ask what you mean by "the consequences"?

mikehughescq

Yes, sorry, of course.

I meant that the illness or impairment is not what matters. It's the consequence of the illness or impairment which is being assessed.

keira

Thanks for that Mike.

Would you happen to know if the appeal will be less successful if a person is seeing their GP only for treatment and has no specialist type of input? For example if a person has tried CBT and it has been of no help and does not feel ready to go through the stress of it again..

mikehughescq

Really good question. There's a tendency for tribunals to view someone only seeing their GP as being less ill so it's really about how that gets explained.

Often the most ill see no-one precisely because they're so ill they're unable to engage.

keira

Thanks for the swift reply!

Could I be so bold as to ask one more question?

Do you know if the Tribunal Service notify you of the date when a paper based appeal will be decided? If they don't then I would imagine that it is imperative to get any further evidence to them quickly before a decision is made 
?