HELP - I NEED TO POSTPONE MY ESA APPEAL

Help! In my original letter from the Tribunals Service, it was indicated my Appeal would not be heard before 20/03/11. I have today received notification that my Appeal will be heard on 27 January, just 15 days away. I had an appointment with my GP yesterday and she confirmed that to date, she has not been contacted either by the DWP or ATOS and she has agreed to provide a medical report for me to submit to the Tribunal. However, as I believe we all appreciate, she will not prepare this overnight and she indicated she would post it to me within the next 10 days and the Tribunal has requested I provide any supporting evidence within 7 days. I want to postpone my Appeal so as I can be sure I have followed the correct procedure. If it snows between now and when the report arrives, it may not be received in time. All sorts of scenarios are going through my head and as I am suffering with severe anxiety and depression, I am getting myself very stressed over this. I want to be sure I word my request correctly and if anyone can help, i'd appreciate it. If possible, due to the fact I have difficulties in getting up, dressed and to appointments early in the morning and the appointment time i've been given is 10.15a.m how can I ask for a later time? Thanks everyone in anticipation of a few replies to help me

Hi Jennifer

You can phone Tribunals Service to request a postponement for the reasons you have given, it may be necessary to also make the request in writing.

There is never a guarantee that a tribunal will postpone, but you do have very good reasons. It clearly would not be fair on you if you haven't had time to prepare your case and obtain evidence as a result of the hearing being brought forward.

If you need to avoid an early hearing, ideally this should have been stated on the TAS/1 enquiry form that you would have sent (assuming that there is a box for special needs). You can make this request at the same time as a postponement, although it will be at the tribunal or their administration's discretion.

Hope this is helpful.

Derek