Hello all.I was being helped by CAB for all the process of PIP .We appealed for a tribunal hearing and was awaiting a date.I was offered a representative from CAB for the hearing.I habe finally got a hearing booked next month and decided to inform my representative immediately.I only had his email and the email was returning in error.I called CAB this morning and told me this person has left.They never advised me via call,text email...nothing!!!! They now tell me it was a one off and have no one for me that i will be alone for the hearing.I feel destroyed inside and feel like they shot me in my head.Im going to be fresh meat in that court room next month on my own.Dont have a clue or capable of what to do. I've lost before even going.All this time for nothing.
CAB ABANDONED ME: Hello all.I was being... - Fibromyalgia Acti...
CAB ABANDONED ME
I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through such a frustrating and stressful situation. It’s completely understandable to feel abandoned and overwhelmed right now. Here are some steps and suggestions to help you prepare for your PIP tribunal hearing:
1. Contact Other Support Services:
If CAB can no longer assist you, there are other organisations that may be able to help:
☆ Disability Rights UK: They offer free advice and resources for PIP appeals.
☆ Scope: A charity that supports people with disabilities, providing helplines and tribunal guidance.
☆ Turn2Us: They can help you understand the process and prepare for the tribunal.
It’s still possible to find free representation or guidance at short notice.
2. Prepare Your Documents:
Organise Your Evidence: Ensure you have all medical evidence, letters from doctors, specialists’ reports, and any symptom diaries you’ve kept.
Case Summary: Write a short statement explaining how your conditions affect your daily life. Be clear and specific with real-life examples.
Example: “I cannot walk more than X metres without severe pain and exhaustion. I need help getting dressed due to mobility issues.”
3. Familiarise Yourself with the Process:
The PIP tribunal is not a court trial; it is designed for you to explain your situation.
The panel will include a judge, a doctor, and a DWP representative. They will ask questions to understand your needs and limitations.
Answer honestly and don’t downplay your symptoms. Focus on explaining the difficulties you experience most days.
4. Practise Your Responses:
If discussing your condition feels challenging, practise your answers with someone you trust or in front of a mirror. Use simple and direct phrases.
For example:
Question: “How does pain affect your ability to move?”
Answer: “The pain stops me from walking more than a few steps, and I need rest or support to continue. This affects my ability to do basic tasks.”
5. Request Reasonable Adjustments:
If you’re worried about coping during the hearing, you can request adjustments, such as extra time to answer questions or breaks if you feel overwhelmed. You can also take notes with you to remind yourself of what you want to say.
6. Seek Emotional Support:
While you may not have formal representation, you can bring a friend or family member as emotional support. They won’t be able to speak on your behalf, but their presence can provide reassurance.
Final Reflection:
I know this situation feels unfair, and it’s understandable to feel powerless, but you haven’t lost yet. Many people have successfully won their appeals without representation by speaking clearly, honestly, and presenting their reality. Prepare as best you can, rely on your evidence, and remember that the tribunal is there to understand your situation, not to judge you.
If you need additional help organising your documents or preparing your statement, send me a message, and I’ll gladly assist you. Stay strong—you still have a chance of success. 👍🙏💪
Thank you for your reply.Are they even allowed to what they have done to me.? This person's name is on the system as my representative for the hearing.They can't just abandon me a month before the hearing.Im not going to make it on my own
I completely understand why you feel this way; it’s incredibly frustrating and disheartening to be left without support so close to your hearing. While Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides invaluable help, they are not legally obligated to offer representation at tribunals. However, what they’ve done —failing to inform you that your representative has left— is extremely poor practice and unprofessional.Are They Allowed to Do This Legally?
Yes, CAB can withdraw their support, as their services are voluntary and depend on staff availability.
However, it’s reasonable to expect proper communication when a representative leaves your case, especially for something as critical as a tribunal hearing.
What Can You Do Now?
1. File a Complaint with CAB:
Explain how this has left you in a vulnerable position.
Ask if they can urgently assign someone else to assist you. Sometimes, under pressure, they may find a temporary solution.
2. Seek Representation Elsewhere:
• Disability Rights UK or Scope: These organisations may provide last-minute guidance or representation.
• Local Law Centres: Often, they have welfare rights advisors experienced with tribunal cases.
• Turn2Us or Fightback4Justice: Specialist organisations that focus on PIP appeals and can offer immediate advice.
3. Prepare to Represent Yourself:
If you can’t secure representation in time:
☆ Gather all your evidence: Medical reports, letters from your GP, and symptom diaries.
☆ Prepare a statement: Clearly describe how your condition affects your daily life.
• Practise answering common tribunal questions, such as:
☆ “How far can you walk before you need to stop?”
☆ “How does your condition affect cooking, dressing, or travelling?”
4. Request Reasonable Adjustments:
If you feel anxious about facing the panel alone, ask for breaks or to have someone accompany you for emotional support.
You Can Still Win This
Many people successfully win their PIP appeals without representation by being honest, clear, and using examples from their daily lives. The panel’s role is to understand the challenges you face, not to work against you.
Final Thought: It’s important to seek help directly from the organisations mentioned above, such as Disability Rights UK, Scope, or Turn2Us, as they specialise in offering the support you need at this stage. Don’t give up—you’ve come too far, and you have every right to be heard. You can do this! 👍🙏💪
in addition to ftorres fantastic reply, get a solicitor - many of the help agencies recommend one with good knowledge. I needed one when I was first diagnosed many years ago. They hadn’t even looked at my medical records and he actually took them through everything. It was brilliant- I couldn’t have done it on my own. Good luck
Hello.Did you pay for it if you dont mind saying?Who are the help agencies?
If you are on benefits there are some solicitors who will be free for appeals. Just a thought.
No matter about CAB it is far from their objectives to let someone down like this. I would complain. If they do not consider your frustration for a second time, I would inform funders! Really bad practice. Wonder how much the managers are on? Usually find the funding is clogged at the top where the chief executive nests! Then not enough staff on the ground 🙄
Hello and thanks for replying.Who is funders?Who shall i inform because i feel completely lost and abandoned just a month away from this hearing
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this and can understand why you’re feeling so anxious 😥 I’ve just been through a tribunal for ADP (Adult Disability Payment) and I’ve had help from Welfare Rights the last year of the two year battle. They were incredible. Hopefully you’ll be able to find their contact info through your local council website.
Wishing you all the best for next month 💕
The Rich CEO argument is a tired trope and tends not to apply to most charities. CAB's are males independent charities working together and they are often hand to mouth. While this situation is unfortunate, "attacking" the funding rather than making a complaint is vindictive and if it works it would hurt others rather than any positive changes.
Never for nothing Nahr79, That's how things go south and make ourselves unwell,
Ask for help from your local carers centre (if you have one) sometimes they help with these things, It really just depends if they are free, Get hold of someone from the courts (sooner rather than later) If all else fails,
Sit down with a hot drink and a cheeky biccy (or two🍪🍪)
Relax, and write down everything you would like to say to them and put down why you can't do certain tasks, Actually fill out another PIP form in your head and ask to have a free person with no money, Sorry I'm going into Miserable old brain fog, bit by bit, So, Go fight for what what is your right,
Think of it as another big adventure and I hope you get the result you are entitled to
Take care
Debs
Grrr
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Utterly broken
Upcoming Tribunal - panic
No response from DWP to PIP tribunal ??
