Pip/ Tribunal Date

Muttleythefrog

pope said:

NedS said:

pope said:

Beeblebr0x said:

Best to take a friend with you. The tribunal will appreciate that it's a stressful time for most people.

Will the tribunal ask the friend/partner questions I have written in my form I get supported by my partner?

That's up to the tribunal, but generally their questions will be directed at you.

When I have assisted my partner at previous tribunals, they have very clearly set out at the beginning their expectations of what will happen and that they'd like to hear directly from my partner if possible, and said they will give me an opportunity to speak at the end if there's anything further I would like to add. In other words, they were telling me they wanted to hear from my partner and did not want me constantly answering for them.

All I have done is assist my partner if they became distressed or found it difficult to answer, but I generally tried to support them to answer for themselves rather than answer for them. It's important they hear it from you.

It's their show, they make the rules and in my experience they will explain to you how it's going to work at the outset, so just go with the flow. Just remember, they are there to help you and they know what they are doing

My situation is a bit different my partner does not speak English very fluently. Also long was you in the tribunal hearing for approximately?

Just to quickly say... try not to be too worried... they ultimately tend to be very keen to accurately do their job fairly. Unfortunately the tribunal length could vary enormously.. we've seen cases where the tribunal was effectively ended before it began because the panel felt they had enough information not to even bother with calling the claimant in to the tribunal room (i.e. they spent zero time in the tribunal) while awarding what they expected... that's one extreme... the other is it could last like assessments themselves of variably length from minutes to well over an hour. The questions they ask.. again... it comes down to individual cases and what they feel they need to explore for facts. Ultimately they should take you very seriously as a witness.. a provider of evidence and it is less likely they'll be asking question of anyone with you.

To quote Ned above... I really do agree "It's their show, they make the rules".... aside from obviously having to apply the law (benefit rules)... ultimately it is their show and they'll figure out how best to do it.

Good luck..!

HillStreetBlues

Muttleythefrog said:

Just to quickly say... try not to be too worried... they ultimately tend to be very keen to accurately do their job fairly. Unfortunately the tribunal length could vary enormously.. we've seen cases where the tribunal was effectively ended before it began because the panel felt they had enough information not to even bother with calling the claimant in to the tribunal room (i.e. they spent zero time in the tribunal) while awarding what they expected... that's one extreme... the other is it could last like assessments themselves of variably length from minutes to well over an hour. The questions they ask.. again... it comes down to individual cases and what they feel they need to explore for facts. Ultimately they should take you very seriously as a witness.. a provider of evidence and it is less likely they'll be asking question of anyone with you.

To quote Ned above... I really do agree "It's their show, they make the rules".... aside from obviously having to apply the law (benefit rules)... ultimately it is their show and they'll figure out how best to do it.

Good luck..!

I totally agree with how much information they have and the more that supports the claim normally the easier it is.

Newcad

Muttleythefrog said:

 we've seen cases where the tribunal was effectively ended before it began because the panel felt they had enough information not to even bother with calling the claimant in to the tribunal room (i.e. they spent zero time in the tribunal) while awarding what they expected

My own tribunal (for ESA not PIP) was like that.
When I walked into the room they had already made their decision in my favour, it had been typed up by the clerk while they waited, and was sat on the table waiting for me.
They only called me in because although it was obvious (to everyone except the DWP Decision Maker at that time) that I qualified for ESA they knew very little about my particular condition, it's rare and fairly unknown and they wanted to ask me more about how it affects people in case they came across it again.
Showing that they are interested in how people are affected by their conditions, and in awarding the benefit that is due.

Muddy_Walker

Pope I could kiss you for this post! I have been waiting over a year for my tribunal date and it’s next Friday. Obviously I am now stressing like mad about it (doesn’t everyone) and will be spending the BH going through alllllllllll the paperwork again. I have found the entire thing very stressful and it did (still does) bring me very low as it reminds me how much I lost energy and abled body wise from only a few years ago.
However I shall pull up my big person pants, take a deep breath and try not to waffle. I have a rare type of cancer that is incurable but liveable with and lots of horrible extra things which have, in short, brought me to my knees. Anyway this isn’t about me but about you and I will keep my fingers crossed 😊
Ive bookmarked your thread to see how you get on.

MW

pope

Any advice on what kind of questions the tribunal ask? And the duration the hearing lasts for?

Muttleythefrog

pope said:

Any advice on what kind of questions the tribunal ask? And the duration the hearing lasts for?

You're clearly extremely anxious about this... that's not surprising.. many would be. But you've already asked really. The length of hearing depends on individual case.. it literally can last zero time in extreme cases where the panel in reading the evidence decide they don't even need to hear anything further... but I would expect to be in the tribunal similar time to an assessment. At the end of the day the panel will ask questions they feel gives them more relevant information they need or want to confirm... and for that end the questions also will be highly tailored. There will likely be less rigid structure than to the assessments where there is clearer process and laying down of facts.  Tribunal panels will feel greater flexibility to get to truth and they'll likely be far keener to look at the whole picture of evidence and really listen to you. I think we could give a good idea on what questions and areas of investigation an assessor would raise given the claimed problems (if spelt out in detail) and protocols for doing an assessment but I don't think we can do that for a tribunal.... we will likely get it wrong... they will focus their efforts where they think they need to and they will operate as they see fit to do their job and for us to replicate their minds without vast case knowledge... a mystic may be just as accurate frankly... or rather you yourself... you know what problems you've claimed to have... you know what help you need.. you know what evidence exists and so you know the sorts of areas of interest they may well have. I'm sorry we cannot really be more specific. Regarding partner.. it's likely they'll focus questions to you.. but as advised it is possible they may ask them some if it helps them for example understand support you need.

To reassure... people generally report much better experiences of tribunals than assessments and the outcomes reflect that! Also remember... if you are anxious then that's not necessarily a bad thing especially if anxiety or MH problems form part of the claim... they want to hear from the real you.  "I know as soon as I walk into the room I'm going to start panicking." - you might.... but hopefully you have support of partner to help... but again... remember.. these are likely experienced people at dealing with disabled people.. if situation like this cause you problems then situations like this cause you problems... you cannot delete disablements or illnesses for temporary convenience and coping strategies such as fine preparation may not always be effective. Like you I get very anxious about events like this and try to plan by finding out what is likely to happen so I'm ready for questions, events etc.

Get familiar with the evidence already in play and in particular what you have submitted in writing... and have in mind the descriptors you think apply... be honest... people tend to suffer at tribunals where their credibility is in question. Remember your truth is a powerful thing. 

Muddy_Walker

I had my tribunal……and won!!!!! It was 45 minutes long with a panel of the judge, a doctor and a disability person (I can’t think of any other way to phrase that) and a representative from DWP.  They asked me things relative to my condition that they wanted clarification on and spent quite a while on walking and distances . 

My husband and stepdaughter were there and added their say at the end. I did have a representative from McMillan on the telephone line in case I needed her to add anything.
we then waited in the seating area for 10 mins and were then called back in to be told I am getting enhanced daily living and standard mobility and the judge also added she was so sorry I had gone through so much.
I am very happy it is all over and relieved and can now look forward to getting on with my new normal.
Best of luck to you xxx

marcia_

 Well done and thanks for coming back with the outcome 

pope

I had my hearing booked for Thursday. I got a email and a phone call from the courts to say the hearing has been cancelled due to not having enough people on the pannel on the day.

I am really upset about this as I had been waiting a whole year and just wanted to get it done and over so I can stop thinking about it.

I know have no idea when the next hearing is going to be as I haven't been told.

Muddy_Walker

Oh no that sucks!!!!!!! I would imagine it wouldn’t be too long though…….fingers crossed.