I have a date for my dla tribunal but have a few questions

morgansmummy1809

Hi All,

I have just received my date for my tribunal for dla, and there are a couple of things that i am not sure about and would like some advice.

Firstly, i am not sure if it is best to get some advice from somewhere like citizens advice on what will happen, it says in my letter that it is up to me to be ready for the hearing, but i am not sure what to be ready for and what kind of questions i am going to be asked/expected to do. I have a history of going to the doctors and having them not believe how much pain i am in and them being very rude to me, and i am worried i will have the same reaction at the tribunal. Does anyone know if they just ask the same questions that are on the application form or if they have a broader range of questions?

Also what happens after the hearing, do they tell you the decision while you are there? or do you have to wait for a letter?

I am very nervous and not quite sure what i should expect, i get very nervous and expect the worst of things and just need to know whether it really is that bad??!

Thanks

Indie_Kid

You may get asked how you got to the tribunal, what do you do an average day, etc.

healy

You should get the result on the day but sometimes they do send it through the post.

dmg24

If you think lots of people are very rude to you, perhaps you are being oversensitive? Professional people can often be blunt, they don't have time to be otherwise, but rarely very rude.

GlasweJen

The tribunal will look at your form and any other evidence that you provided. You will be asked about how you go about doing the things on the form; they may ask you for information on a specific care need such as who prepares your food, if you were desperate what would you make yourself, can you cut your own veg, do you need someone to remind you to eat etc.

They may ask you how did you get here (bus, taxi, car), did you get help coming here etc.

You may get your decision on the day but it depends, sometimes they post it to your house. There is no policy where they post out denials and confirm on the day regardless of what gets said in papers or on internet forums.

cit_k

GlasweJen wrote: »

You may get your decision on the day but it depends, sometimes they post it to your house. There is no policy where they post out denials and confirm on the day regardless of what gets said in papers or on internet forums.

There is actually a policy on that, its in the tribunal benchbook (page 37)

The policy basically, is they have to give the decision on the day, unless there are reasons why it must be delayed, or they expect the claimaint would get distressed over the decision, or may get violent, or may not understand it.

So, most decisions if favourable would be given on the day, if its a mental health case, and they fear the claimaint could become distressed and its a unfavourable decision they should tend to post out the decision etc etc.

Obviously though, there is still hope, as they could have other reasons such as needing to check case law, look into facts etc which takes time, so not getting a decision on the day does not always mean you have failed.

morgansmummy1809

Thanks to everyone for the information, its always good to know these things

sunnyone

morgansmummy1809 wrote: »

Hi All,

I have just received my date for my tribunal for dla, and there are a couple of things that i am not sure about and would like some advice.

Firstly, i am not sure if it is best to get some advice from somewhere like citizens advice on what will happen, it says in my letter that it is up to me to be ready for the hearing, but i am not sure what to be ready for and what kind of questions i am going to be asked/expected to do. I have a history of going to the doctors and having them not believe how much pain i am in and them being very rude to me, and i am worried i will have the same reaction at the tribunal. Does anyone know if they just ask the same questions that are on the application form or if they have a broader range of questions?

Also what happens after the hearing, do they tell you the decision while you are there? or do you have to wait for a letter?

I am very nervous and not quite sure what i should expect, i get very nervous and expect the worst of things and just need to know whether it really is that bad??!

Thanks

If your doctors dont believe you do you have medical evidence to produce to the panel?

You wont get far with no medical evidence, pain can be indicative of a problem but without medical evidence of pain you wont get far.

There is no limit to the questions that they can ask, they are their to assertain if you fit the legal discriptors of being entitled to DLA and nothing else.

WhiteHorse

dmg24 wrote: »

Professional people can often be blunt, they don't have time to be otherwise, but rarely very rude.

It is possible to be extremely blunt and yet still not be discourteous. Rudeness is frequently a sign that someone has been promoted beyond their ability.

aliosman

hi all,
I hope I can find someone here who can help and advise me....
I have applied for DLA in May 2010. I got the decision in October and as you can guess, they turned me down for both components.
I got a diagnosis of major depression with pschosis and I use 3 medicines for that..In addtion I have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and high blood pressure.(all were diagnosed before the decision)
On the other hand, I have canal stenosis on my lower back for 5 years which was worsened after a bus accident last year and I cannot currently walk without a crutch and cant leave my home if there is no one with me.
I coudnt be able to work since july 2010, mainly due to my mental health and due to trying to kill myself. and receiving ESA with support group without a medical.
I asked for reconsideration for my dla, wrote a letter to them explaining how my conditions affect me, side effects of 8 medicines I use everyday also sent in 3 reports from my psychiatrist, 2 reports from the pysiotherapist and 2 from occupational t. 1 from gp, they still refused.
I got my tribunal hearing next wednesday and I am worriying about this as I dont know what to expect apart from seeing 3 people questioning me about my conditions.
If anyone can answer, What do you think my chances are at the tribunal???
Is there a possibility that they can agree with the DLA people saying I have no care needs neither I am virtually unable to walk??
If it sounds that I am entitled to it what component do you think it should be and what rate?? and what is the likely period that they might award it for?(i am having the mental health issues for almost 2 years now)
I know some people may laugh at me for these questions or some may think how stupid i am asking these here....
But I truly need someone to reply whatever the answer is pleaseeeee

TOBRUK

aliosman wrote: »

hi all,
I hope I can find someone here who can help and advise me....

I got my tribunal hearing next wednesday and I am worriying about this as I dont know what to expect apart from seeing 3 people questioning me about my conditions.

If anyone can answer, What do you think my chances are at the tribunal???
Is there a possibility that they can agree with the DLA people saying I have no care needs neither I am virtually unable to walk??

If it sounds that I am entitled to it what component do you think it should be and what rate??

and what is the likely period that they might award it for?(i am having the mental health issues for almost 2 years now)

I know some people may laugh at me for these questions or some may think how stupid i am asking these here....
But I truly need someone to reply whatever the answer is pleaseeeee

Hi aliosman, sorry but no one can tell you what your chances are at the tribunal and what the outcome will be! How long is a piece of string?

Sorry, I'm not trying to be funny but there is no way of knowing ... whatever your illness/condition is.

I have been to 2 tribunals in the past and you are always nervous and you don't know what they will ask you. In my experience ... it is never as bad as you think it's going to be!

The important thing is take your time and don't rush. Make sure you understand the question and if in doubt ask them to repeat the question. Take your time to answer. They will be questions on you (based on your claim) and how you manage to do things etc.

My first claim I was awarded 1 year mid mobility. Then HRM for 3 years. I now have an indefinite award for HRM and HRC.

The award and length of award can vary and this again can not be guessed. Even if you had a reply from someone with the same condition as you, everyone is different and are affected in different ways, so no one will be able to advise you on this.

You will have to wait for the tribunal. Good luck and try not to worry too much.