Hi can anyone help with pip tribunal? I was smiling occasionally in my assessment and we ain't allowed to do that apparently??

[Jennifer81]

Pip

Tribunal

RA

[Hidden]

I'm not sure what help you need but there is a website called Benefits and work that has some very useful information plus an NRAS publication on PIP. Citizens advice may be able to help too. I don't think you didn't get PIP because you smiled at the assessment, I laughed a few times at mine (sometimes you have to laugh or you would cry) and it didn't affect the outcome. Good luck with the tribunal. I'm sure others who have been to a tribunal will answer soon too.

[Jennifer81 in reply to Hidden]

It is one of the reasons she has stated. My depression can not be greatly concerning as I smiled a few times through the assessment this is not the act of a person with depression.

[Hidden in reply to Jennifer81]

Wow that’s very harsh, I’m really sorry that happened to you.

[Simba1992 in reply to Jennifer81]

Not very much sense in this since there are depressed people that infact smile a lot.

[Mmrr]

So one of the reasons you were refused was because you smiled ? Well hopefully you did and the assessor wasn't lying, as they have been known to do 😁

Make sure you have all the evidence you can provide for the appeal.

Look over your assessment by the DWP and the points they awared you. Challenge anything you disagree with, explain why you are challenging.

Possibly contact citizens advice for guidance.

[Jennifer81 in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you yes I'm going to contact citizens advice. The words on the paper are my depression can't be greatly concerning as I smiled a few times through the assessment and this is not the act of a person with depression.

[Mmrr in reply to Jennifer81]

I'm not sure if you had someone with you at the original assessment, if not try to take someone with you, anyone. Ask them to take a notepad and pen and make it very obvious everything that is being said is being noted.

Be confident in everything you do, look people in the eye (difficult when you are not at your best).

Ask if the person assessing you is qualified to overturn medical opinion that you are depressed ? ( I assume you have a diagnosis of depression). Reask the answer is not forthcoming. Ask for their criteria of deoression what scale do they use ?

[Cheylann in reply to Mmrr]

None of the above works except maybe citizens adice. I know I've tried all of it 4 times. The whole system is ridiculous.

[nomoreheels]

What an odd thing to accuse you of, smiling! Didn't you know only dour expressions are permissible when you have a chronic condition?! What an odd thing to accuse you of! I hope those before you at your tribunal have more common. 😬

[Mmrr in reply to nomoreheels]

DWP assessors have a low skill base from which they work from. Smiling might be seen as ...not depressed.....which is why we need to challenge.

[Jennifer81]

I know I shall slap my wrists for trying to jolly myself up instead of thinking dark thoughts all the time. I think it could seriously harm some people having that put on a report.

[rab1874]

It just shows the lengths they go to refuse something we’re entitled to xxx

[Hidden]

I know of more then one person who smiles or even laughs when there nervous.

I would think a pip tribunal would make anyone nervous.

Perhaps you can mention this to them when you appeal.

[Hidden]

Hi Jennifer, have you seen this, available on the NRAS wesite.

nras.org.uk/publications/ca...

[Jennifer81 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much x

[lee08]

Hi Jenny

Sounds ridiculous what I would say is that your smiling was due to a nervous reaction and also remind then that a lot of comedians suffer from depression hope that helps 😀

[Cheylann in reply to lee08]

Robin Williams! !

[Cheylann]

Mine was refused because they said as I wasn't taking strong painkillers at that point (codeine and methotrexate) my pain wasn't bad enough to qualify. Isn't that ridiculous! Their reasons get more ridiculous everytime I read a new one. Fight them all the way!

[Hidden in reply to Cheylann]

Was that at tribunal Cheylann?

[Cheylann in reply to Hidden]

No it was when I appealed their decision.

[Cheylann in reply to Cheylann]

Wanted to add a doctor's letter stating your conditions and hoe the affect u will help.

[Ruby2002]

Have you been through the Mandatory Reconsideration stage yet? I missed out by one point because the walk from reception was 3 metres more than the permitted 20 metres! I asked for an MR as the assessor had ignored that I had just had a steroid injection, my Consultant is fabulous and she also wrote me a letter which I sent them and I was awarded the extra point without a tribunal. Try and get a letter from your doctor and send as much stuff as possible. Good luck x