Finally got a date for my Tribunal Hearing, 3 years later.. HELP!
So as the title said I have received a letter after nearly 3 years after my initial application for PIP. I had no idea this was coming and thought it was dismissed (stupid I know but I hadn’t heard anything in so long I just assumed)
I am a 25 year old living with fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety (to name a few) and I was 22 when I applied. I was scored 0 points in both categories despite citizens advice assisting me in the application process and incorrectly assuming it would be a straightforward case.
My letter got lost, I only received it a couple of days ago (it’s now 1st December, the hearing is the 3rd) and I am a mess. Panicking over saying the wrong thing or worse, not being believed. It’s taken me a long time to get my diagnosis and I’m still struggling to find a treatment that works. I believe due to my age and the fact I am working (part time) played heavily into the decision made by the assessor. Everything was done over the phone, the one call was interrupted halfway by a fire alarm and the assessor panicking as he was in a new office and unaware if there was a drill or an actual fire.
I have organised transport to the hearing, my boyfriend would be coming in with me. Any tips on what I can do to get my voice heard and the help I’m in desperate need for would be greatly appreciated.
Comments
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@pangan 3 years is ridiculous. Normally a year or so at the most. The tribunal service and yourself will have been sent a document pack from the DWP. The pack will contain your application form and evidence. The tribunal service will have the document pack present with them. You have yours. A tribunal is a lot better than the assessment, with professional people present that will listen to your struggles with your disabilities. One will be a Doctor. You will be asked questions and you can refer to your document pack. May be worth reading through your document pack prior to remind you what you said since years have passed. Just keep calm and it will go well. If you win and the success rate at tribunals is high, you should be in for a lot of back payment. Best of luck!
You can work full time and claim PIP, some assessors do use working to remove points but it is wrong. Even though you were not happy with your assessment, just concentrate on this tribunal. Maybe worth having bullet points of your issues to remind you after reading through your document pack at home.
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Hi @pangan and a warm welcome to the community from me!
It's good to hear that you have received a date after waiting so long!! There is some really good information here on PIP tribunal hearings that I hope will be helpful.
I really wish you the best of luck in your hearing😄4 -
Why does an appeal/tribunal take a very long time?
Why do they not believe anything I say to them, and what I put the the application form?
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Unfortunately the process is very long and there's a large backlog @sben. With them not believing you, they have to be careful that the people who are claiming have legitimate reasons to. I know that they don't always get this right though and it can be distressing when they tell you that you can do something when you can't.
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@pangan Best of luck today! Let us know how it went!
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how did it go. .but of course it is ridiculous
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It would be good if @pangan could update us for other members that end up in the same situation.
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hi everyone,
firstly thank you so much for the support and tips. It’s really meant a lot.The tribunal itself wasn’t a pleasant experience I won’t lie. I had to have my mother in law drive me to the city centre in Cardiff where the actual proceedings were delayed by about an hour due to previous appeals going over.
I went in with my partner who helped me with standing and sitting, which I believe did help display my struggles. He was also given the opportunity to speak at the end.
yesterday (Monday) I received my response and I GOT IT! 10 points daily living (standard) and 14 points for mobility (enhanced) and I’ve been told I’ll be back paid from when I originally applied in August 2023! The DWP didn’t even send anyone to defend their case for some reason
I was so demotivated and down after leaving the tribunal I didn’t care if I got it or not. But thankfully it came through1 -
@pangan Excellent news and well done! Thanks for letting us know the outcome. Sorry the Tribunal was hard work, but you informed them of your issues and struggles and they have listened. The DWP are not always there at a Tribunal. I said in my original reply to you that you will be up for some backdated pay. The backdated pay usually is paid first too. It may take the DWP a few weeks to sort out your award, up to 8 weeks. You can relax now!
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This is great news @pangan, thank you for the update! This must feel like such a weight has been lifted😊
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