I have my PIP tribunal today

[Tobythecat]

Im really nervous as i dont know what to expect and im worried they will interrogate me. The dwp have already used my evidence against me.

They won't "interrogate" you. There will be 3 people across a table - judge, doctor and "member with experience of disabilities"., The judge will introduce them all by name and they will ask you question. They will give you lots of time to say what you want to say (as long as its relevant!). It is far less formal than a court. At the end you'll be asked to go outside while they make the decision then you'll come back in to hear it. Oh and before the hearing the clerk will give you a run down of what to expect. Dont worry - tribunal members are trained to put people at ease

Good luck it is nerve wracking but you will be fine. Remember not to put a brave face on and don't downplay anything.

good luck

Good Luck Toby.

Keep as calm as you can, take a breath before answering anything to give yourself time to get your thoughts together.

Don't force eye contact if it makes you uncomfortable, just be yourself.

Remember, if you don't understand something they say, tell them there and then. Don't get into the situation where you're just trying to fill a space with words, say things like

"I'm sorry, I don't understand the question, please could you clarify"

"I don't understand, Do you mean .." .followed by what you think they mean.

Give yourself time to answer.

Our Judge was fabulous. All the panel know how DWP send cases to Tribunal that they (DWP) should not do because it's so clear-cut the person asking for PIP needs it.

Please let us know how you get on, I'll be thinking of you

I got my PIP first time which I was amazed about and I think I got it through reading up on how best to answer the questions. This is because my condition is so variable that some days I am fine but others I can’t get out of bed. When they asked me something, I made sure to always say: ‘on a bad day it’s..... but on a good day it’s ...... ‘ I would then state how often the bad days happen. Detail is everything. Good luck.

Good luck. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

Good luck

Good luck . I hope you have someone who can go with you too.

Thank you all, i feel better about it now its not until 2pm but will update when i get back. My mum and dupport worker are coming with me.

Good luck. I had to go to tribunal too, and found them ok, was a bit odd sitting there feeling like a criminal, but in the end they overturned the DWP decision to give me something, where DWP had awarded me no points at all.

Didnt go too well. They adjourned it as they want more medical records. The judge grilled us all and was really patronising.

He said the case was very complex (i have autism)

Sorry there wasn't a decision today Tobycat but look on the bright side, they have not said No. This has to be a good sign.

Is it the Judge, Doctor and Expert asking for medical records you already have Toby, or do they want you to have further assessments.

If they want you to have further assessments, who will organise them?

If they want further assessments, then which ones do they want you to have?

Doesn't matter if you don't know at this stage, Tribunals do tent to be more than a bit stressful.

Thinking of you Toby, mine is on the 18th and I'm terrified. Sorry to hear that yours was adjourned, that must me really frustrating

Wishing that you get the result that you want soon.