UTT has anyone had success?

[mobbba]

Hi everyone.....Just looking for some advice. I had DLA HRM and LRC. I lost it all on transfer to PIP. Had my appeal and lost applied for permission to UTT and refused. I have Eosinophilic Asthma, COPD, Unable to walk with breathlessness. Spinal Stenosis with weakness and numbness in arms and legs. Arthritis needing ankle replacement and midfoot fusion and also right knee replacement. PTSD. Weakness in right hand, unable to lift or carry.

Bulging discs in spine. All backed up by MRI's, Consultants letters and my GP letter.

I have read I can apply to UTT but I just don't know where to start. My appeal did not go well. I had a massive thing happen to me some years ago which resulted in PTSD and 7 years of therapy, which is still ongoing. The judge asked what happened to me and I said I did not want to discuss it, she said ''well we cannot proceed unless you tell this court what happened'' I said in a low voice briefly what happened and I started to shake uncontrollably , I was breathless and felt ill. From that moment on I could not find my words, I felt I could not hear what they were saying to me, asking hypothetical questions, and why I would not let my husbands friends come to my home. It was a farce.

Has anyone had any success with the UTT? I just feel I cant go on...Thanks

[Fizzy256]

I'm so sorry they treated you that way. I wish that there was a Better, accepted, standardised way of evaluating people with PTSD.

[rosewine]

Normally to be successful at ITT you need to either find a case which is similar to yours where a decision has been reversed or you need to argue that they have not adhered to a point of law. It is difficult and very few people take it that far without help from an advisor who is conversant with tribunals. You could always apply for PIP again but this time write down in detail what your traumatic experience was. If it got to tribunal stage and you could have someone with you who was conversant with your problems who could speak on your behalf it would be very helpful. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.x

[mobbba in reply to rosewine]

Thank you for your reply. I cannot apply for PIP again as I am 68 years old. As far as having someone speak for me at my tribunal. I had a law student as my advocate and she was not allowed to say anything on my behalf. x

[rosewine in reply to mobbba]

My heart goes out to you. When I accompanied my husband to his two tribunals, long story won't bore you they allowed me to say something when he was really struggling and had said something wrong as his anxiety had got the better of him. I can't say they were kind but they were very professional.

What about trying to get Attendance Allowance, I know you don't get a mobility component but I feel the criteria unless they have changed them since I was an advisor were fairer and gave more opportunity for explanation. Even some extra money would help buy the extra things we need. I wish you luck in whatever you do. If there is an Age UK advice office in your area some of them help fill in forms I know we did. Good luck.xxx