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PIP Appeal Telephone Hearing

I sent my PIP appeal in November 2016, in April I was (finally) offered a telephone hearing. My condition prevents me from going out and I had originally requested a home hearing, but this was what they were offering so I agreed. That was over three months ago and since then I've heard nothing.

I have called a few times but I keep being told my appeal is on the judge's desk / the delay is due to not having the right equipment (how much equipment do you need for a telephone call?) - do telephone hearings usually take this long to set up? Does anybody have any experience of them, what are they like?

(I'm also waiting to be reassessed for ESA, been waiting for a home visit since last August - why are the DPW so slow?!)
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Comments

  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
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    Penguin90 wrote: »
    I sent my PIP appeal in November 2016, in April I was (finally) offered a telephone hearing. My condition prevents me from going out and I had originally requested a home hearing, but this was what they were offering so I agreed. That was over three months ago and since then I've heard nothing.

    I have called a few times but I keep being told my appeal is on the judge's desk / the delay is due to not having the right equipment (how much equipment do you need for a telephone call?) - do telephone hearings usually take this long to set up? Does anybody have any experience of them, what are they like?

    (I'm also waiting to be reassessed for ESA, been waiting for a home visit since last August - why are the DPW so slow?!)
    All Tribunals can take several months for a date. I can't answer your specific question about telephone hearings though.
    With your ESA i'm guessing you filled in your ESA50 form? If so then maybe you were given a paper based decision and they just didn't write and tell you the decision, this can happen. I'd ring ESA and ask because that's the only way you'll get to know the answer.
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    This is general info about PIP tribunals, but gives you an idea of what to expect.
    http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal
    Section 9 onwards.
    I would imagine it will be a conference call as with PIP appeals there are normally 3 on the panel.

    Have you submitted a statement to the Tribunal Service detailing why you should have been awarded PIP?
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
  • Penguin90
    Penguin90 Posts: 73 Forumite
    poppy12345 wrote: »
    With your ESA i'm guessing you filled in your ESA50 form? If so then maybe you were given a paper based decision and they just didn't write and tell you the decision, this can happen. I'd ring ESA and ask because that's the only way you'll get to know the answer.

    I don't remember tbh, I don't think I did (I asked for a home assessment and I never heard back). It was almost a year ago now.
    Alice_Holt wrote: »
    This is general info about PIP tribunals, but gives you an idea of what to expect.
    Section 9 onwards.
    I would imagine it will be a conference call as with PIP appeals there are normally 3 on the panel.

    Have you submitted a statement to the Tribunal Service detailing why you should have been awarded PIP?

    Thanks!

    Yes, all submitted, they've my documents since last year.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Penguin90 wrote: »
    I don't remember tbh, I don't think I did (I asked for a home assessment and I never heard back). It was almost a year ago now.
    If you haven't filled in an ESA50 then how do they know you want a home assessment? Are you in one of the groups or still in assessment phase?
  • Penguin90
    Penguin90 Posts: 73 Forumite
    poppy12345 wrote: »
    If you haven't filled in an ESA50 then how do they know you want a home assessment? Are you in one of the groups or still in assessment phase?

    Well, I first applied for ESA in 2015, didn't have an assessment, was placed right into the Support Group. Then last August I got a letter saying I was being re-assessed, I filled in a form (I don't recall the name of it), asked for a home assessment, they told me I had to send them a doctor's letter detailing why I need a home visit which I duly did... and then nothing, and as I say, it's almost been a year.

    I find it strange that they want to assess me, but twice haven't bothered to actually do an assessment.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Penguin90 wrote: »
    Well, I first applied for ESA in 2015, didn't have an assessment, was placed right into the Support Group. Then last August I got a letter saying I was being re-assessed, I filled in a form (I don't recall the name of it), asked for a home assessment, they told me I had to send them a doctor's letter detailing why I need a home visit which I duly did... and then nothing, and as I say, it's almost been a year.

    I find it strange that they want to assess me, but twice haven't bothered to actually do an assessment.
    Which is what makes me think that they've kept you in the Support Group and haven't sent you a letter telling you this. As you've already filled a form out i'd ring them (ESA) and ask if a decision's been made. It's the only way you'll know.
  • Penguin90
    Penguin90 Posts: 73 Forumite
    poppy12345 wrote: »
    Which is what makes me think that they've kept you in the Support Group and haven't sent you a letter telling you this. As you've already filled a form out i'd ring them (ESA) and ask if a decision's been made. It's the only way you'll know.

    Just phoned them and spoke to a very unhelpful lady. She kept telling me "you're in the Support Group and you're still getting your money so it doesn't matter how long it takes" - she confirmed that the decision hasn't been made, so technically I am still waiting for an assessment, but she thinks that's perfectly okay. Useless.
  • poppy12345
    poppy12345 Posts: 18,744 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Penguin90 wrote: »
    Just phoned them and spoke to a very unhelpful lady. She kept telling me "you're in the Support Group and you're still getting your money so it doesn't matter how long it takes" - she confirmed that the decision hasn't been made, so technically I am still waiting for an assessment, but she thinks that's perfectly okay. Useless.
    Well in a strange sort of way she's right, sorry. They haven't found you fit for work and you're still getting your money. If they find you "fit for work" is the time to worry. I know that doesn't help you but if it was me i'd try my hardest not to think about it because yes you're still getting your money. They may even forget about you :p which wouldn't really be a bad thing. You could get your local MP involved to hurry the assessment up BUT why do that? It's your choice though.
  • Gonna bump this, still no word. It's been 7 months since I was offered a telephone tribunal hearing, and 11 months since I submitted my PIP appeal. I know it can take a while, but surely this is too long? What can I do?
  • Alice_Holt
    Alice_Holt Posts: 6,094 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ring the Tribunal Service (based in Cardiff).
    7 months is too long, something may have gone awry with their processes.
    The TS are usually very helpful.
    Do you have a representative? CAB or advice agency perhaps? If so ask them to chase the TS as well.
    Alice Holt Forest situated some 4 miles south of Farnham forms the most northerly gateway to the South Downs National Park.
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