Attending PIP appeal as witness whilst claiming my

Hi there
My friend who has a diagnosis of Paranoid Schizophrenia spends most of his days with me- I'm on enhanced PIP for daily living and mobility due to neurological issues and a heart condition which keep me housebound and often bedridden so we provide much needed company for each other.
This means that I'm the key witness for many of his daily symptoms and as he now has to go to Tribunal, his solicitor (through the community legal service), has strongly advised that I attend his appeal to give evidence so he has a best chance of success.
I want to support my friend who helps me out significantly with daily activities and carrying me in and out if taxis to get to hospital appointments, but I'm terrified that attending the appeal might trigger a reassessment of my needs for PIP or ESA. I'd have to attend in a wheelchair as I can't walk at all most days, but my cognitive conditions fluctuate.
Does anyone have experience of attending an assessment or appeal with a friend and then it triggering a reassessment in itself? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Saluki (beautiful dogs, BTW!),

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

I don't see any reason why attending your friend's tribunal as a witness would trigger a reassessment of your own claim. The appeal panel will not know that you are in receipt of benefits yourself and that fact will not be entered anywhere on your friend's records.

The only potential problem, as far as I can see, would be if your own reassessment went to appeal and someone on the panel recognised you from when you attended to support your friend. I don't think that is terribly likely but I suppose the chances would increase if you live in a very rural area with a low population.

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