They did a paper tribunal even though I called

Richardk

Hello,
I tribunal was due today, it was to be held over the phone due to Covid 19.
When they called I pressed *1 when I was told to, then the phone cut off.
This happened three times.
On the last time, a friend videoed my pressing *1.
I called the tribunal land line phone straight away, and was placed on hold for 20 minutes.
By the time I had told someone what has happened, they said the tribunal was taking place now, and that it would be a paper tribunal and there was no way I could join in on the tribunal.
 
Could anyone let me know if the same think has happened to them please?

And any advice in case the tribunal doesn't agree on my side.
The DWP gave me zero on every activity, even though I gave them loads of evidence to show them how I unable to complete the actives.    
Thanks, 
Richard

steve51

Hi @Richardk

Welcome to our online community/family.

I am one of the Community Champion’s here at Scope.

have got a good friend here who will be able to offer you some help with your pip.

 Hi @Richard_Scope

Can you please help me with this post????

@steve51

Richard_Scope

Hi @steve51, The best person to answer benefits questions would be @Adrian_Scope

steve51

Hi @Richard_Scope
 
I am very very sorry.

Many Thanks.

@steve51

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Richardk, I'm so sorry this happened. It must have been so frustrating to not tell your side of the story.

You should be able to ring up and ask what decision was made at the tribunal. The fact you were unable to attend could be grounds to appeal if the tribunal panel didn't give you points needed.

I hope this helps! 

mikehughescq

@Richardk let me offer you some reassurance here. 

During the pandemic appeals are being previewed by a salaried judge. If they can decide the appeal on the papers in your favour then they will issue a provisional decision to that effect which either you or DWP can accept or reject, if you’d rejected it then you get a second bite of the cherry via a telephone hearing. 

So, that means the specific reason you were listed for a telephone hearing was that a judge sitting alone didn’t think the case would go wholly in your favour based on the papers. 

In those circumstances if tech problems prevent you from attending the phone hearing then it would be perverse for the panel of 3 to go ahead when a judge had already looked at whether that was appropriate. The only situation in which they might choose to go ahead would be where the expertise of the 3 led them to decide that in fact the appeal could be decided in your favour. 

In other words, it’s more likely than not that you have won.

If you have not then frankly they don’t have a leg to stand on and you could apply immediately for a set aside on the basis that a party to the proceedings (you) was not present.