ESA Tribunal – Two Question and Any Advise?

Hi All,

I have been living on this website for many years now, though have never posted before, but have always found the information invaluable.

The people and site helped when I was going through my DLA application/appeal/tribunal and now I need some help with my ESA tribunal.

My tribunal hearing is in a few weeks' time and I have been told by my GP that he will write a letter of support, which I was surprised but happy to hear, as have heard that it is uncommon for this to happen. I just hope that I get it in time to send to them before the 7 day cut off.

My questions are:

1. If the GP's letter is not sent to the tribunal before the 7 day cut off, will it still be accepted? I may be answering my own question here but would calling be of any help for a bit of leniency?

2. Question 2, would it help if a close friend and also a family member wrote a letter of support to the tribunal about my condition and how it affects my life?

The advice part:

Though I have been through a DLA tribunal, I am not sure what to expect from the ESA tribunal. Do you have any suggestions on what is asked or what to expect – any information would be most helpful.

Many thanks,
AV

A Vaughan wrote:

Hi All,

I have been living on this website for many years now, though have never posted before, but have always found the information invaluable.

The people and site helped when I was going through my DLA application/appeal/tribunal and now I need some help with my ESA tribunal.

My tribunal hearing is in a few weeks' time and I have been told by my GP that he will write a letter of support, which I was surprised but happy to hear, as have heard that it is uncommon for this to happen. I just hope that I get it in time to send to them before the 7 day cut off.

My questions are:

1. If the GP's letter is not sent to the tribunal before the 7 day cut off, will it still be accepted? I may be answering my own question here but would calling be of any help for a bit of leniency?

2. Question 2, would it help if a close friend and also a family member wrote a letter of support to the tribunal about my condition and how it affects my life?

The advice part:

Though I have been through a DLA tribunal, I am not sure what to expect from the ESA tribunal. Do you have any suggestions on what is asked or what to expect – any information would be most helpful.

Many thanks,
AV

Hi AV.

Welcome to the Forum.

1. You should contact the Tribunal ASAP to inform them that the letter of support from your G.P. may not be available on time, and take advice from them. If you are to take a copy to the hearing, which may be advisable, you should make sure that you have at least 4 copies, one for each tribunal panel member as there are only two with ESA, one for yourself, and another in case there is a DWP presenting officer present.(not a common occurance)

2. These types of letters can be helpful. Same advice as at 1.

Remember though, any letters of support must be pertinent to the time of the adverse decision that you are appealling, and not only relevant to how things are now, as that is what the Tribunal will be looking at.

These links may be imformative :

MOJ Video of ESA Appeals Process and Tribunal

Preparing for a Tribunal

On a lighter note, as I notice that you "have been living on this website for many years now" you can expect a demand for rent arrears in the post.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Cheers

bro58