Dwp Appeal Query

[Chickadee]

Hi All

I am appealing a decision from the above and have to decide whether to attend the hearing or not.

I have the option of attending the hearing or it being decided on my papers.

I can't decide which to do, has anyone else had an appeal and if so what did you choose?

Appeal is for incapacity benefit if it helps.

Thanks in advance.

[jim360]

It would depend on a number of factors: how likely you think you are to win the hearing; how interested you are in the result; how much of a contribution you think you can make personally. It also depends a bit on what the hearing is for, though on the face of it I don't see that you'd have that much to lose by attending.

Whatever you decide, good luck with your appeal. I take it it's at the lowest level of Appeal currently?

[Chickadee]

Thank you for your reply.

I am at the final appeal stage. When I went for my assessment they were running so late that the assessor was really rushed and as such everything since has been a farce.

Have just found out where my local tribunal place is and I would find it very difficult to get to, so will go for paper hearing.

[Peter Pedant]

are you crazy ?

It depends on one factor only:

dja wanna win or not ?

I attended an ATOS appeal ( and won ) and I would not dream of not attending anything where I was allowed to address the panel

[Peter Pedant]

.

oops read your answer

dosent matter where it is , Timbuctoo - then hire a camel and start off today !

[jim360]

The advice I've received is that your chances of winning will improve significantly if you turn up in person. I would make every effort to do so.

[EDDIE51]

I agree, it is vital that you turn up and plead your case in person. Otherwise they will just think you can't really be that bothered. If it is at all possible get an advisor from the CAB to go with you. My wife was turned down for ESA (Incapacity benefit has ended now, replaced by ESA which is itself going to be replaced by PIP) , we got an adviser from the CAB to do the appeal and got awarded the full benefit in just 5 days, we could never have done it ourselves and won.

[Postdog]

PIP is not replacing ESA....it replacling DLA.

To add to the confusion, I know this will apply to ATOS, there is a theoretical argument that if you are fit enough to attend an appeal, then you are fit enough to work.

I would contact them and point out that it would cause you difficulties to travel (assuming it genuinely would) and see if there are alternative options.

[DrFilth]

i have been to one and you could do with a letter from trained medical person or go with a person from welfare rights or cab

i went on my own and because i walked into the room on my own got scowls from the medical judge straight away

[Chickadee]

Apologies for the late response and thank you all for your replies.

I think after reading them all I will try to be brave and go to the hearing, luckily my husband will go with me so I won't be alone.

Again thank you all.

[Chickadee]

Hi All

I have received the papers the DWP has lodged with the tribunal, all 118 of them!

Can anyone who has had one of these explain what happens please?

Thank you