DLA Tribunal

LilacPixie

is it normal to be nervous?? I am absolutly terrified. Mine is 2 weeks away but already I am worried sick and think that i should of just left well alone.

Words of encouragment from anyone??

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

If you duck out, they will have won. But no sprinting up the stairs to the Tribunal (they usually have cameras pointing outside). They can be a little confrontational, but if you try and stay calm (upset is not a problem, that would be reasonable) whilst remembering anxiety is also a normal reaction, you're halfway there.

I am sure there must be a better way of doing things, but a substantial number of decisions get reversed as a result of the Tribunal system, so it must be doing something right.

They are paid to be independent - they may ask very blunt questions - but they are not on the job centre's side - their job is to make a correct decision.

Think of it this way - if they still say no, you've made them work for it. If they say yes, you've made the system work the way it should!

Good luck.

LilacPixie

Thanks Jo. If ony i could sprint up the stairs!! tribunal place is on ground floor I believe.

I guess i am just nervous. I decided to go for tribunal because I truely believe they have made the wrong decision.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

You'll be fine. Just stick to your guns. You know what you have to deal with on a daily basis. Just explain it to them.

And if they say no, keep at them. Apply again. Don't give up!

LilacPixie

I guess I just have the collywobbles. I honestly feel the system is weighted to put people off claiming

munchings-n-crunchings

Just take the two weeks to be prepared.

Read and understand the criteria, and that will help you put your case, and dispute the original decision. Using the Decision Makers Guide will help you.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/dmakers/default.asp

Try bullet pointing your issues, and this will help you keep track of what you need to put across.

Try not to worry, the panel are just ordinary people, who will have read your submission, and will ask you further questions on that.
You still have time, if you have any new medical reports etc, to get these sent in.

Good luck,
Munchie

TOBRUK

Hi LilacPixie, it is absolutely reasonable to be nervous. I have been to two tribunals in the past. On both occasions I never asked why they turned me down or read up on anything, I did take in copies of reports etc. I just answered their questions truthfully and won.

There were five people around the table on both occasions. The only advice I can give you is listen carefully to what they ask you, make sure you understand exactly what they are asking (don't be afraid to ask what they mean or to repeat the question) and take your time to answer.

Good luck.

veggyboy

HI I just got back from my tribunal today. The panel were very nice and understanding, I was only in there 6 mins and they found in my favour. I didn't have any help only a friend for moral support. I told them the truth and sent in lots of evidence before hand so they had time to read it.
Hope this helps a bit

TOBRUK

Congratulations veggyboy, both times I had a tribunal I too didn't have help and just took a friend for moral support. It's a good feeling when they do find in your favour, and you did the right thing ... just tell the truth. You are probably feeling relief and a little drained now though - I remember I did.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Congrats veggyboy - it is such a good feeling once it's over.

bundly

I too was nervous. I went in alone, just told the truth, they sent me out to wait for 5 mins, called me back in and in front of where I had been sitting was a sheet of paper. On it, it said that I had won my appeal.

I realised afterwards how silly I had been to be so nervous. They are there to judge your case fairly. If you are honest, and you genuinely are too sick to work, they will find in your favour.

They told me to take all the paperwork, and I did, but nobody asked me for it, so it wasn't needed.

I was up in front of a judge, a doctor and the secretary.

They made the right decision and it was backdated to February, so I just got £3,300.