Hi

I have my ESA tribunal soon and contacted my local advisory centre for advice and representation at my hearing but they told me they don't have any solicitors availabe for such hearings because these tribunals are short! I was advised to take along family/friends for support but that the judge would only really want to hear from me and i wouldn't need a representative. Is this true?

I feel my case is weak as the ESA medical is designed in such a way that people with hidden disabilites like myself will not be taken seriously, i don't use a walking aid etc and my condition is not well understood!

Having read all the sad tribunal storys on here i don't feel very optimistic.

What am i to do?

Hi Simple,

You could use our guide to getting help to see if you can find a representative from somewhere else:

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/help

Otherwise, many people - probably the majority - attend tribunals without a representative and many are successful, though we don't have statistics for ESA appeals yet.

It definitely is worth taking a friend or relative with you to the hearing though, at least for moral support. And yes, it is true that the judge would want to hear from you rather than from a rep, but that doesn't mean it isn't useful to have one if possible.

Good luck,

Steve

Thanks Steve

I have relied on the appeal guide mostly and think I'll be doing this without a representative as i don't have much time now and doubt CAB can help at this last minute!

Hi all

I've read some posts about your tribunal experiences and prepared myself for mine this coming week, using all the wonderful advice from the Appeal guide. However, if anyone could suggest any tips/advice, perhaps things the guide may not have covered, that would be great!

Thanks

Have you tried Rethink? They may be able to help - even now.

Regarding the Tribunal, I can only say that I was honest (and as a Christian, I answer to a Higher Power than any tribunal!), extremely anxious, took nothing to calm my nerves beforehand so that they could see 'the real me', and before the Tribunal I wrote a letter to them, pointing out my previous work history, addressing the reasons why things were different now, and I guess 'baring my soul' - which was extremely uncomfortable and personal, but apparently necessary. Also, I tried to illustrate that I have been trying to get help to get better, and how challenging that has been too.

All the best to you.

Hi Aslan

Thanks for sharing this.

I am dreading telling them so much personal stuff, it's never easy revealing all to a bunch of strangers!

Rethink: Can they help for all disabilites or is it just for mental health issues? I'd love to give them a try.

I'm a little worried having just re-read my notes, apparently they don't accept any late evidence, i.e they will not consider anything new on the day. Is this correct? I only just managed to get some new supporting evidence and have less than the 7 days deadline to submit it. I was hoping to show this to the panel but it'll be rejected.

I haven't been too well recently and have slowed down once again so never got round to posting it!

Now this has added to my stress levels!