Tribunal Adjournment

Hi Anita

As you provided additional substantive supporting evidence on the day of the hearing, then it will cause your case to be adjourned to take consideration of your supporting evidence and also for the DWP to take it into account.

This is why HMCTS asks that additional evidence is supplied up to two weeks before the hearing date.

Why would you start a new claim before you get an outcome of your original claim?

If you apply for a change in circumstances then it will initiate completing a new claims form.

At a tribunal they will not ask anyone who goes with you questions, it is all about you, at the end of questioning you, they will then ask your companions if they have anything to add.

Gary

Hi Anita,
From the Judge's comments it seems that you already have award for Daily Living, or will get one. Presumably you are appealing to gain enhanced daily living and/or mobility award.
During an appeal, DWP is obliged to consider any further evidence you send in, and review it. Hence DWP must review the paperwork as directed by the Judge.
If you are awarded PIP or additional PIP at tribunal, then you will get paid from the start of the claim if this is first claim, or potentially when your needs increased if this is a review.
If my understanding is correct and you have an award, or this is about to be paid, then there is no point in making an additional claim. That would end this initial claim, but for the second claim there would be no backdating in the same way as you would get for the wait from claim/review until tribunal award is finally paid. This could potentially mean a loss if several hundred if not thousand pounds of benefit.
I advise that you await the outcome of the tribunal. Then, if the result is ok, and you get the maximum allowed or maximum for your disabilities (or you are happy with the award,) then you will get the award back dated to the claim or review date as described above. You won't need any further action, until your next review if you get the maximum possible.

If you get less than maximum you can then ask for a review (at a later date) to ask for more benefit, up to the maximum, if your health deteriorates to the extent that more points can be awarded to be sufficient to allow for an increased award.

If my understanding is wrong, and you are not due any award and/or the tribunal fails and no award whatsoever is made, ( and you can't or do not want to appeal) - this is the time for a new claim.

At the tribunal you can bring a friend or relative who can support you, or give evidence of the difficulties you have. It is however extremely likely that you will need to attempt to answer tribunal questions. If you don't have a friend etc, maybe approach the local church - the vicar or indeed any other religious leader may know of someone who could help, even if you are not a churchgoer. Failing that, a local counsellor or the Parish or Town Clerk might be able to help find someone to help.

I hope this helps.
Good luck.
LL26