ESA Tribunal Paper Based Hearings

minnie26

Hi Everyone -I’m new here and wanted some advice on tribunals .
I opted for the oral hearing and just received the date (second one because they cancelled the first hearing the day before ) My ESA was stopped December 2017 and  I was in the support group before this.  I have experience of a tribunal through my application for PIP and it was absolutely horrendous -a 2 hour grilling for nothing that I then reapplied for with the help of Macmillan and got Standard PIP .
So I’m thinking I really don’t want to go and I wondered whether anyone here has experience of paper based hearings . I have been so unwell with the stress of it all that I really don’t care anymore -I would rather lose than attend .
Many thanks for reading 

poppy123456

Hi,

A Tribunal will always prefer you to appear in person for the hearing because they want to hear from you in your own words how your conditions affect you. They can't do this with a paper based decision.

71% of those that appear in person have a decision in their favour, compared with a figure as low as 8% for paper based decisions.

minnie26

Hi , 
thanks  for your reply and I did think this but I find it so hard to talk about all the things the cancer has done to my body . They made me feel like a criminal last time and although they found me extra points for PIP , it was still 2 points short and I hate to think I will go through the same again . 
However , these stats mean I must get myself ready for battle !

worried33

The figures for paper based decisions are pretty bad, I highly suggest you go.

When I won my last DLA appeal hearing, it was purely on the basis of my vocal evidence provided at the hearing.

minnie26

Thank you for your reply .  
My health has really suffered this past year and this really takes its toll but I will psyche myself up and go to the hearing and hope they don’t postpone again . 

steve51

Hi @minnie26

Good Evening it’s great to meet you today ???

I’m very very sorry to hear about your current problems ?

Are you able to take a friend or family member along on the day of the tribunal❓

Please please let me know if there’s anything that I can help/support you with?

@steve51

minnie26

Thank you steve51

My dad has offered to come with me but I will feel embarrassed discussing some of my intimate disabilities in front of him so I might have to go on my own although that might go against me .

I will see how stressed I am nearer the time and then decide but from the advice here I really must go in person   ?