IB Tribunal

honeyD

Hi, just got a question about the tribunal.
If it has been heard with just the papers (me not present) how long will it take to hear the outcome? I thought I would get a call but nothing and with the strikes Im not sure when I will get a letter.
Thanks

NASA_2

They will notify you in writing rather than by phone. Why did you not go? There is a better chance of success when you attend in person.

honeyD

At first I was all set to fight, but I couldnt find anyone to help me and accompany me to the tribunal and as I had never been to anything like it before it seemed very daunting.
I was all set to go to it alone if I had to, that was until a couple of months ago when I started to feel better about things. I was on IB for depression and anxiety, had been through the condition management programme offered by the Jobcentre, which I do feel they signed me off that way too soon but after that I decided I didnt want to be on IB anymore and I wanted to "fix" myself. So Ive been making little steps ever since and I can honestly say I feel better than I was back then when I had my IB medical. So you see, Im not the same as I was so didnt feel I could go to the tribunal and show them how I am since Im not like that now. I may only have made small steps but its in the right direction and where I want to be headed. There probably wasnt much for them to go on with the papers so I have no doubt that I have failed it, which I do not mind anymore. The appeal was more for the principle of the nurse lying about everything. But now I can look back and think it has done me some good because now Im wanting to go out, Im wanting to be happier and try things.
Im jobhunting at the minute and have just signed on for JSA so hopefully I can find work, though not sure what it will be! Wish me luck lol.

phiso

Well you definitely get a "Good Luck"! And a "Well-Done"!

Just a point about Tribunals and why people attend. Obviously one is to get their benefit reinstated but I've also been with many people who just want to "have their say" - often about inaccurate medical opinions.

And that is a perfectly good reason for attending!

Phil

sunnyone

Good luck on the job hunt and congratulations on your improvement in health, look after yourself too make sure you stay well.

sunnyone

cit_k

If you had attended, the tribunal would have explained that they are interested in how you were at the time of the medical, not how you feel now, that is irrelavent to them - they are only interested in how you were back when the decision/medical occured, as that is what they are their to review.

Good luck anyway, hope it works out.

honeyD

I still havent heard the outcome so I called to see if they could tell me what happened.
They cant tell me over the phone and my letter was sent out on the day but because of postal strikes I havent got it yet :mad:
Why on earth cant they just tell me? It would make everything so much easier!
I need to know for tomorrow because thats when our appointment with the jobcentre is for JSA and I need the p-something for that. Gah!

honeyD

Not sure what Im supposed to do. Got a letter from Income Support today saying "I am writing to tell you that your recent change in circumstances does not affect the amount of IS we pay you." And goes on to say I will be paid in a week again as usual.
So confusing as I dont know what recent change it could be apart from my appeal, which surely I would then, if I had passed, be put back onto IB?
Doesnt make sense! There are no other changes possible!

honeyD

Well I got my answer today. It was just as I expected, appeal was a big fat fail. No worries, Im now a jobseeker! lol. Hopefully I can find something soon and get life back on track. I was just confused by the IS letter but it seems that was an error or something. Nevermind, onwards and upwards, dont they say?