How can we prepare for appeal?
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nannlyn
Community member Posts: 3 Listener
Hello and thanks for the ad. I am supporting my daughter in her pip appeal, we have been to tribunal a couple of years ago and awarded low mobility for 3 yrs however after 2 yrs they decided to stop this so she has had to go through the whole process again. Should have the tribunal date soon so getting prepped for this. I think it will be a harder process this time so looking for ideas of what to take paperwork wise and what best to say. She has a condition called acute cholinergic dysautonomia since age 12, its an auto immune conditions and has also developed diabetes in the last couple of years [another auto immune] and uses insulin injections 5 times a day. Her main condition is extrremely rare and we think this leads to a lack of understanding in the medics. Its not a familial condition but an idiopathic. It affect the flight or fight responses so skin, sweat, eyesight, tears, dry mouth, heart rate, bp, gut motility, tiredness, brain fog, and joint pains seem to be an added bonus. It has similarity to POTS but also huge differences. It affects her on a daily or hourly basis. She lives with her partner and has 2 children [after difficult pregnancies, the last of which induced gestational diabetes which did not go]. She acquired it aged 12 and is now 35. We know of no others in the uk with this - there may be the odd one or two in USA, it really is an orphan illness.
I can print off a list of how it is affected and take that
She can do a daily diary for a month showing how her daily life is
We have little medical stuff to take - which is half the issue - as she did see specialists early on, but as they cant change it, she was a bit of a guinea pig, so doesnt really see anyone apart from occasional GP visits. She takes over counter pain meds as cant take decent meds as it further stuffs up her gut motility and causes immense constipation [ talking a dozen senna tablets here a couple of times a week to shift things without adding any pain meds ]. She did see a neuro recently who has confirmed her condition and added a wee bit of info as PIP wanted her to take more recent medic report - but it doesnt say much apart from refer to her previous notes, which were the ones used in last PIP......
So, if you have had the patience to read this, then thanks, and if you have the info to say how best we prepare for the next tribunal, then please it would be lovely to hear some tips and notes to how i can support her PIP tribunal best. She is capable but gets muddled and tired and confused with it all.
Thanks
I can print off a list of how it is affected and take that
She can do a daily diary for a month showing how her daily life is
We have little medical stuff to take - which is half the issue - as she did see specialists early on, but as they cant change it, she was a bit of a guinea pig, so doesnt really see anyone apart from occasional GP visits. She takes over counter pain meds as cant take decent meds as it further stuffs up her gut motility and causes immense constipation [ talking a dozen senna tablets here a couple of times a week to shift things without adding any pain meds ]. She did see a neuro recently who has confirmed her condition and added a wee bit of info as PIP wanted her to take more recent medic report - but it doesnt say much apart from refer to her previous notes, which were the ones used in last PIP......
So, if you have had the patience to read this, then thanks, and if you have the info to say how best we prepare for the next tribunal, then please it would be lovely to hear some tips and notes to how i can support her PIP tribunal best. She is capable but gets muddled and tired and confused with it all.
Thanks
Comments
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Hello @nannlyn Pleased to meet you welcome.
Thank you for joining and thank you for sharing.
I am sure every one who has been through the PIP process and tribunal. Will be in touch to offer their advice and any support.
I am one of the team of community champions who advise and help new members. Who join.
I know having been through the system of PIP. Wish you the best. Do know this is a stressful time.
Please ask if we can help and advise on anything further.
Please keep in touch if and when you have an outcome.
Please take care.
@thespiceman
Community Champion
SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
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Nutrition, Diet, Wellbeing, Addiction.
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Hi @nannlyn
Good Afternoon it's great to meet you today ? ? ?
I am very very sorry to hear about your current situation with "PIP"
We have got some info /advice on "Benefit's"
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/pip&index_url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/benefits/pip&auth=OdCmUepX8Eu01lD6Q10Fhg&profile=_default&rank=1&query=Pip
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https://www.scope.org.uk/Support/Disabled-people/benefits/DWP-benefits-appeals/Upper-Tribunal&index_url=https://www.scope.org.uk/Support/Disabled-people/benefits/DWP-benefits-appeals/Upper-Tribunal&auth=J8RBp/9tUn3x3rgBxg2xJQ&profile=_default&rank=2&query=Pip
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/services/information&index_url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/services/information&auth=4RxMuZJo7ufNgzuZI7Ixsg&profile=_default&rank=3&query=Pip
https://search.scope.org.uk/s/redirect?collection=scope-meta&url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/money/pip/faqs&index_url=https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/money/pip/faqs&auth=LmnqDzzXazyTWKotZZO+3A&profile=_default&rank=7&query=Pip
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thank you. I will look through them
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As posted by @Username_removed) Concentrate wholly on what you were like on the date of claim.
2) There are no “trick” questions. Tribunals are usually listed 20 minutes apart so, apart from the appeal papers, they need questions which cut across lots of functions. So the car question is brilliant because it indicates grip; mobility; dexterity; the ability to do something repeatedly; concentration and stamina. Instead of thinking negatively about such stuff think about what they’re getting at and your answers will be much better and more detailed. Similar questions include whether you’ve been on holiday recently. It feeds into mobility (getting across an airport); stamina; the ability to cope alone; the need for aids and appliances.
3) There are no set rules or order for a hearing beyind the requirement that it must be seen to be fair.
4) Watch the judge’s pen. All three members may take notes but only the judge writes a record of proceedings. If you don’t want them to miss anything then remember that they can’t write as fast as you can speak, so watch their pen and slow down. Don’t worry about going too slow. They will tell you if you do.
5) Never interrupt any tribunal member. It is perfectly okay to challenge them provided it’s not rude or aggressive. However, think about whether what you’re challenging them on is directly related to points. If it’s not then better to focus on points. This is especially important because loads of people second guess the demeanour of tribunal members as determining whether they are pro or against and it’s largely nonsense. An aggressive, challenging member may well just be a poor communicator and wholly on your side right up to the point you challenge them etc.
6) Get yourself a representative and travel to the venue by whatever means makes you feel comfortable. It’s only ever an issue if you don’t explain what you did in full and if doing so contradicts your other evidence in some way for daily living and /or mobility.
7) Same goes for clothes. You need to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. If you’re not relaxed then the likelihood of you presenting well are much reduced. Dressing down is not a good idea unless that all you can afford. A person who feels naked without make-up or a suit abd tie will similarly be over stressed if they try to pretend they’re in their comfort zone dressing down.
8) Other people’s tribunal experience can be valuable but it’s just that. Their experience. If they lost then it’s the tribunal to blame. If they win they everything they did is why they won and what you must do. The truth is usually very much in between.
9) Know your case. What points are you going for and why. What’s your evidence? “The HCP was a liar” is neither evidence nor a winning strategy. Also, know the appeal papers. What’s where.
10) Do not be tempted to claim you’ve worsened since the date of claim. That’s a recipe for a failed appeal and an invitation to make another claim. Even if you have got worse always concentrate on your date of claim and what you were like then.
Be all you can be, make every day count. Namaste -
Very useful thanks. Especially the car example and pen watching. She will be nervous so that will calm her by watching his pen as well
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