Waiting for a statement of Reasons.

[lillyanne]

I had a tribunal hearing for dla five weeks ago which was very, very distressing. I feel I was treated quite badly and so I asked for a statement of reasons as to why I was turned down and was told that this information can take two months or longer to be sent to me. Well. my way of looking at it is this, Their reasons for turning me down should have been available on the day! Why is it going to take so long for them to give me the facts I need to be able to go to a higher tier tribunal. You only have a month in which to put in an appeal and you can't do that without the statement of reasons which can take up to two months! It doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. Sorry, I had to have a rant. Fed up if this whole benefits system which is supposed to help when someone is in need, but instead, just seems to add to the pressure a person is already under. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Lupo30]

Hi lillyanne

Make sure that you ask for your list of reasons in writing and send it by recorded delivery. If it takes longer then you can prove that things have been held up on their side and not yours.

Did they give you their decision on the day? Whether they did or not, they should definitely have the reasons for their decision.

Yes the benefits system is awful.

Let us know how you get on.

[pattismith]

Take a look at a site on facebook called Fight Back the offer lots of advice and help with benefit difficulties, will even build up your case with you and attend any hearings. Don't give up.

[vonnyrad]

My husband advises for the CAB and deals with ESA/DLA appeals all the time, it is a minefield of bureaucracy and even experienced advisers struggle at times, the DWP seem to go out of their way to make things difficult.if your local CAB is still operating (the CAB have suffered greatly from government cutbacks and many operate mainly with volunteer help) you would do well to seek their help, don't attempt it on your own.

[MiaMunch]

I have just gone through the same process for my 16 yr old daughter. The tribunal overturned the DLA decision , all be it for low rate carers. It is something. This was in May and I still not received any money and apparently even if the court decideds In Your favour. This does not mean you are awarded DLA . Because they can appeal the decision. So another stalling tatics

[paul2667]

Fight back given me loads of advise and r going help me fill in fotms and go to the medical with me there good with appels not just dla evrthing and mostwlege how each department works iv also found out its wording on ur form as with most things the wording make adiffrence u cal also try citizen advise or charity called scope im waitimg for my form to strivethen medical iv been worried about it contacg fight back on facebook advise is free

[lillyanne]

Thanks everyone for some good advice. I will definitely contact fightback because there is no citizens advice near me. Even if I don't take it to the higher tribunal, I'll have made the judge do a bit more work on my case than she bargained for, and I feel absolutely no guilt in doing so