DLA Appeal Tribunal

I have my DLA Appeal on 11.4.11. I was wondering if anyone can advise me on the format of the tribunal. Do the Panel hear evidence from the DWP first then do I have to give my evidence or visa versa? Will the original decision maker who turned down my claim be present?

I don't feel up to all the stress of it all but I cannot accept the EMP's report which contains inaccuracies and I can't let this 'slimey' doctor get away with shaking my hand and telling me that he could see how inacapacited I was and he would do all he could for me then write in his report that I was 'wearing a depressed face mask'!

Hello apicke4,
Sorry to hear that you have to go to appeal. I have had a tribunal twice for DLA, the 1st appeal I had to attend and was seen by a panel of three. There was no representative from the DWP. They had read the paperwork before the tribunal and only asked a few questions. I waited in another room for a few minutes was called back in and awarded the DLA. They were very nice to me (even the DR) and made me feel at ease.
The second tribunal I got a phone call from the clerk just before I was about to leave to say they had found in my favour and not to bother attending.
This was last june.
I know it is stressful but hopefully you will find it like me and get the right result in the end.
PS The first tribunal I had a dodgy atos report but luckily I had a consultant on side and I think that trumped him.
Kind regards
Sue

Thanks for your reply Sue. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner but not been well enough to use computer. My doctor said she would write a support letter for my appeal as she thought what the EMP wrote was disgusting but I'm disappointed that the letter she wrote only contains facts which I've already included in my additional evidence rather than her opinion regarding how far I can walk without severe pain. She says I can't lift pans, chop veg etc. due to hand pain but doesn't elaborate on anything so I don't think it will be very helpful.

Apart from asking what I can/cannot do and what a typical day is like, what other questions am I likely to be asked by the Panel? I'm dreading the whole thing and stress only makes my Fibromyalgia/CFS worse.
Kind Regards Angie

Hi Angie,

There are very detailed guides to DLA appeals in the members area.

Good luck,

Steve

Hi Angie
Sorry to hear you have been unwell and I appreciate how dealing with the stress of a tribunal makes your condition worse as I too have ME/CFS. You say your DR's letter states that you cannot lift pans, chop veg etc, so this should entitle you to low rate care straight away as you cannot prepare a meal, so her letter will help with this. The panel I had only asked very few questions about my typical day and asked about the ratio of good/bad days I had. I think they had basically made their mind up before I went in as they seemed on side from the start and I did'nt feel like they were trying to trip me up. I did emphasise that on bad days I could'nt walk 50mtrs without help due to muscle pain and weakness and problems with my balance which made it dangerous to try.
Please try to stay as calm as possible especially if they bring up crap that the ATOS Dr wrote about you and just tell them how it is and do not be afraid to show some emotion, I had tears rolling down my face as I tried to explain what my life was like before ME and what it is like now.
Good luck for the 11th I will be keeping everything crossed for you.
kind regards
Sue

Thank you so much for your good luck wishes Sue and Steve. I will let you know how I get on.

Kind Regards
Angie