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ESA Tribunal tomorrow morning, any last minute advice?

BenjaminS9BenjaminS9 Member Posts: 11 Listener
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Evening folks, judgement day (as it feels) is tomorrow morning and I am to put it politely metaphorically laying bricks if you get my gist. I've decided to take my girlfriend opposed to her mother into the hearing with me, seeing as she knows my conditions better than anyone and can add anything should it be necessary. 

I do have one question, what is the rough duration of the tribunal hearing? 
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Replies

  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    edited November 2018
    Hi,

    Your girlfriend will not be able to speak for you. They will want to hear from you in your own words how your conditions affect you. They may ask her at the end if there's anything she wants to add but this doesn't always happen.

    The duration, will depend on your case. Each claimant is different. Good luck.
    Community champion and proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice i have given to members here on the community.
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  • BenjaminS9BenjaminS9 Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thank you Poppy, I understand she won't be able to speak for me, however anything I won't remember from what I understand I can ask the judge to anything else into consideration towards the end of the hearing. 

    Thanks
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  • curiousmom1996curiousmom1996 Member - under moderation Posts: 35 Courageous
    Hi there 

    Unfortunately the only one who can tell them is you. Tell them everything about how much your disability affects your ability to do things independently. Good luck!!
     
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  • BenjaminS9BenjaminS9 Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Thank you both, tribunal went on longer than I expected (40 minutes) and got my decision in the post this morning. Been awarded WRA for 12 Months which should give me time to get some of the medical bits and bobs sorted. Thanks to all that offered their support and advice. 
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  • poppy123456poppy123456 Member Posts: 22,218 Disability Gamechanger
    Great news. Do bare in mind that for ESA they can re-assess you at anytime. 12 months is just a guide.
    Community champion and proud winner of the 2019 empowering others award. This award was given for supporting disabled people and their families for the benefit advice i have given to members here on the community.
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  • Sam_ScopeSam_Scope Member Posts: 7,732 Disability Gamechanger
    So pleased for you @BenjaminS9 - how are you getting on?
    Scope
    Senior online community officer
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  • BenjaminS9BenjaminS9 Member Posts: 11 Listener
    Sam_Scope said:
    So pleased for you @BenjaminS9 - how are you getting on?
    Thank you, I'm slowly getting there, I was awaiting a hospital appointment at the time of my tribunal and attended that last Thursday. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which makes a lot of sense. I was very surprised to see that ESA placed me in the support group, against the Judge's decision to place me in the work related activity group. 

    I'm not just awaiting an appointment with the physio team to begin a plan for graded exercise. Thanks for the check in. :) 
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