Help - ESA Tribunal in a couple of weeks

[florence1884]

Hi, I have had lupus for the past 25 years but more recently was diagnosed with scleroderma. I had to take six months off work last year because the stress of my self employed work was making me really poorly.

Yes, you've guessed it, good old Atos awarded me ZERO points and told me that I was not entitled to ESA. I did all the necessaries - asked for a reconsideration, and then an appeal etc. However the stress of it was too much and I went back to my self-employed work.

I have been told that my appeal still stands and I have to go to the tribunal in a couple of weeks.

I am really scared, (a) because I feel so poorly, (b) because I dont know quite why I have to go since I am now back at work and (c) what will happen to me if they still say I was fit for work last year. I am terrified I am going to get into trouble and terrified of sitting in front of a panel of people who are obviously going to think I am putting it all on.

Does anyone know if I HAVE to go to this trubunal, or what the repurcussions would be if I didn't. I have tried emailing CAB but they keep sending me links to online articles with heaps of writing in them. I am so confused and I dont know what to do.

[Tigerlily4]

Hi Florence. I strongly recommend going to benefitsandwork.co.uk/ for help. If it was you who instigated the appeal *so far as I'm aware* you don't have to attend. I'm saying this on the basis that my husband was once in a similar situation and didn't bother pursuing the matter at Tribunal. However, so many rules have changed recently and I believe that now there may be court fees involved so well worth checking this out with the professionals. Good luck and do please let us know the result.