Given Pip appeal date

Hi Nikki-White,
DWP will look at anything you send in, and if they are satisfied can revise their decision and make an award. It is possible! If you are happy you can accept the award or continue with the appeal.
What sort of appeal is this face to face in the tribunal building or video/phone?
First read the appeal papers, (I assume you have had these if not contact DWP urgently asap)
Read the claim form. If you feel you have forgotten something or need to clarify write a note on a piece if paper to take with you.
Be yourself. Be brutally honest- difficult I know, but you are more likely to succeed if you admit your struggles, however embarrassing, than say 'yes I manage to do that, it's ok.'
If you can, get a friend or relative to be present. They can keep notes. They can prompt you if you have forgotten something and can give evidence about how you struggle with PIP tasks. Unless you are really unable to answer any questions (either nervousness or physical difficulty speaking.)the tribunal will expect you to answer.

So...you said on your claim form you always walk with a stick and need to be accompanied when out. So, use your stick and take a friend, if you need to go to the courthouse. Likewise avoid the car park trap. The trib will know all the distances from local car parks and this may be further than your claimed distance. Get the friend to drop you off at the door. Remember the trib members may arrive same time as you, or look out the window and see you. If you are acting naturally this won't be a problem, but the trib are allowed to use their observations, so if you don't limp into the building, they might correctly wonder why you're limping into the hearing! Observations must be put to you for comment.

Do whatever you would normally do the day/s before the hearing. If the weather is nice and you want to go for a short stroll or it is the day you visit a friend or go to Tesco s do this if you are able. If you re tired at the hearing s a result, then this will come across. Similarly, try not to take extra meds over and above the usual amount unless absolutely necessary. You will then be seen to be in pain, noxious etc. The extra pills will make you less achy or anxious and might give the impression you are less unwell than you are. However if you really do need the extra meds then explain what you have taken and why.
No make up, comfortable clothes. It is amazing how well people look with eyeshadow and lippie! If you said you don't wash, or put on clean clothes etc turning up neatly dressed with smart hair won't show the real you. If you said you wear tracksuits then wear one!
Take quick moment to ensure you understand the question. Say if you don't. Tribunals are pretty good, but can sometimes lapse into legal speak!
Sometimes, you might not know the answer, or may have forgotten- avoid the temptation to answer because you feel you ought. It will probably lead to a random or confusing answer that raise doubts.

Make note of important points and make sure you say everything, ask for a couple of moments thinking if you need this.

Most important go at your pace. If you have a friend ask them to monitor your welfare. If you seem tired or are getting confused ask for a break. Don't sit uncomfortably beeding the toilet this will be distracting. Ask for a break. In the courthouse the tribunal may notice you look tired etc so will offer a break. If you are on a phone hearing, no one can see you so be proactive and day you want a break or get the friend to ask.

Have pen, paper appeal papers with you. Preferbky sit at the table. Get the most comfortable chair.Go to toilet before. Have a glass of water or tea/coffee etc. Make sure phone is charged.(Or turned off if in the courtroom!)

I think that's everything!
Good luck
LL26

Hi Nikki-White,
The tribunal will probably go through everything you suggest may require points. If you haven't mentioned something but the tribunal think you may score they may ask about that too.
They often start off with questions about your household, and whether you work, before moving on to questions about your illness, disability etc.
Do tell the tribunal about the OT gadgets this could indicate need for aids/appliances. However, do stress whether the aids are sufficient and whether more help is required. (You should be awarded the highest score if 2 or more descriptors apply equally in a section.)
You mention change of circumstances, does this mean you had previous claim for PIP and didn't succeed or get all you wanted. If the award was reduced then this would be a supersession, (legal term for change in award,) in this case it is for DWP to prove and actual change of circs has occurred, meaning a reduction in disability, which woukd tend to contradict that you contacted DWP to say things were worse! Make this clear. So how things have changed.
Good luck.
LL26