incapacity APPEAL ths week please help

problem123

I have to attend a tribunal appeal regarding the reinstatement of my incapacity benefit. It was stopped last October due to the fact that i ‘missed’ a medical interview to assess my medical condition. I had asked for a home interview due to my illnesses.
My illnesses which range from severe depression, social anxiety, agoraphobia, as well as body dysmorphia BD disorder as well as alcohol and drug problems. These have been ongoing for a number of years! I am about to see a new psychiatrist.
dear sir can you help? before reading the following text can i point you to the entire history of mine? you may have read it its here -

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=432481

its quite long but its perhaps important.i need to point out that i am writing this on behalf of the person (i have been helping) and it would be a crime if he fails the tribunal

here is the latest. thank you for your help

I have to attend a tribunal appeal regarding the reinstatement of my incapacity benefit. It was stopped last October due to the fact that i ‘missed’ a medical interview to assess my medical condition. I had asked for a home interview due to my illnesses.
My illnesses which range from severe depression, social anxiety, agoraphobia, as well as body dysmorphia BD disorder as well as alcohol and drug problems. These have been ongoing for a number of years! I am about to see a new psychiatrist.
The medical centre had asked for a letter proving my illness which was mislaid. This caused the medical centre to state that I had failed to attend, causing my benefits to be stopped. I appealed and after much effort and red tape attend a tribunal appeal this week. I have heard on these forums that a points system is used that can ‘trap’ genuine claimants. I am in no condition to play ‘games’ with these people.
Can someone who has gone through this process explain or point me to previous posts explaining how it all works??? I need help. I do not have an advocate to go with me. Can someone answer some of the questions below?
Questions
1 do I have to attend? Is there more chance of success going or not going?
2 what type of questions do they ask?
3 what if I’m too nervous to answer to answer straight questions. for instance they might ask me how my social anxiety stops me from leading a normal life.
4 can I take a previously written letter from which to I can present my case to the panel?????

5 if i fail the tribunal is that it? because it should never have been stopped in the first place

please can you offer me some advice THANK YOU

DenBo_4

I think tomorrow you need to go (or get someone to go for you or go with you) to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights Office AS A MATTER OF URGENCY and ask for their help, they may even be able to delay your appeal and come with you an appeal. I am going to a DLA appeal and I have been helped brilliantly by my local Welfare Rights (Ours is called "Community Rights Centre"). They are really helpful. Good luck

Morglin

If you attend the ppeal, you have a 70% chance of success, if you don't, it drops to 30%.

The panel will ask questions about how your illness affects you and prevents you from seeking work.

You can take a friend or relative, but as the above poster says, it really would be in your best interests to get some help via the CAB.

Lin