Tribunal

stephy110288

Hi,
I have a tribunal for DLA coming up and I'm really terrified. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Will I have to discuss my symptoms in detail, as some are quite personal and I'm already dying at the thought of talking about them in front of a room of people.
Who are the people that will be hearing my case? And is there anything I can take with me to help my case? I'm seeing my consultant the week before so I'm going to ask him to write something for me.
Any advice is appreciated
Thanks

debbie_doo

hi there,

I've just been to one with a family member and it was absolutely fine. There is a judge, a doctor and possibly someone from DWP (but this is rare). If you can get someone to go with you as a representative but let the tribunal know beforehand who it is, anyone will do friend/family member etc. It takes about 45 minutes and you will find out on the day if you have been successful, unless yours is quite late in the day.

Take any new paperwork that you have on the day if you want but we sent all ours in beforehand. You should be asked by the clerk when you sign in if you have anything to add to your case (we were). They will ask you a lot of questions about your conditions so be prepared for this, obvioulsy your questions will be different to the ones we had as illnesses etc are different but it mainly centres around what you do in a typical day? who helps you (if anyone), what med's your on, how often you see your doctor, are you waiting for an operation etc etc. they will also ask you some questions about the recent form you would have filled in detailing your illnesses. Don't worry about discussing your personal problems - just tell them everything, this is your only opportunity to defend yourself so you musn't miss anything out or they won't get the full picture. It all sounds very daunting but it didn't come close to the stress my fam member experienced at an atos medical and I'm assuming you have already been through this. They assure you that they are independant etc and were good at putting us at ease.

Hope it all goes well, let me know of you have any more questions :-)

stephy110288

Thanks so much that makes me feel alot better. I'm just worried about being made to feel like a scrounger! And my symptoms are so embarrassing i really worry if i will be able to actually say them out loud. i am going to take my partner with me as a witness to the care that i need and because i really dont want to go alone!
this might sound silly but what should i wear? I don't really have any smart type clothes but I don't want to turn up looking trampy!
I didn't go through the medical no. They refused my application on my form. Where I had stated that I can't cook myself a meal, they basically said "yes you can" despite my doctor just writing "not assessed" for that question on his form.

debbie_doo

They won't make you feel like a scrounger at all so do not worry about this. My fam member also has some embarrassing conditions that they had to discuss but they will/should pick up on your embarrassement and won't probe too much. They are there to determine whether you have been unfairly treated and assessed by DWP (which it sounds like you have) and whether your entitled to the benefit your trying to claim so I cannot stress enough how important it is to tell them everything. It's good that your partner is accompanying you for support but they will mainly only want you to do the talking, they may towards the end ask your partner a few questions about your daily life together but 80% of what is said should come from you. regarding what to wear - just a pair of trousers and a nice top/shirt or a skirt (I'm assuming your female?) if you'd perfer, you don't have to look like your about to go on the catwalk but I wouldn't turn up in jeans/jogging bottoms and a ripped 't' shirt either lol, smart/casual is the best approach, my fam member who is male just wore a pair of trousers and a short sleeved shirt (no tie) I really don't think what your wearing has any specific relevance. xx I understand your concerns as both myself and my family member were pretty petrified as well beforehand (fear of the unknown and all that) and we were worrying for nothing!!! genuine claimants will win appeals x good luck again x

stephy110288

Thanks so much you have made me feel alot better. I guess it's better to just face the embarrassment, I'm never going to see them again and I'm sure they hear it all the time?!! I hope anyway! thanks again

debbie_doo

your very welcome, and yes unfortunately it is better to just face it and tell all, don't forget I'm sure the doctor would have heard/seen worse throughout their career lol, and no you prob won't see them again xx let me know how you get on

luminated

I have an excellent Pdf covering much information on the whole process before and during the Tribunal. If you want to PM me an email address I will send it to you.

I have a Tribunal coming up and came across this document which is very helpful.