DWP Response

lauren

The process for an appeal is as follows;

1. The claimant completes an SSCS1 form or submits an online appeal.

2. The Tribunal Service registers the appeal and notifies the DWP of the request.

3. The DWP prepare their response to the appeal and sends a copy to the claimant and Tribunal Service. They normally have one month from the date the of appeal request to do this.

4. The claimant receives the DWP's submission and has one month from the date of the letter to prepare and send their submission.

For Paper Hearings that the claimant does not attend it is important that the one month is adhered to as Paper hearings are scheduled at short notice and without contacting the claimant.

For Oral hearings, the reality is that the claimant can continue to submit testimony and evidence up to about two weeks before the hearing, later than this and you risk the documents being excluded from the appeal.

5. The hearing is held and the claimant is notified of the Decision.


From what I can see you are now at (4).

Gordon

Hi lauren,
Aha, this will be the appeal papers, often called appeal bundle. I believe I explained this to you in a prevous post - it will contain copies of all deciding, MR, claim form, assessment and SSCS1. The tribunal will get the same papers You do not have to respond and although they give a deadline, the reality is that if you do want to respond as long as you do this two or three weeks before the hearing it should be OK. Whatever you send will go to the tribunal office at the address given, and remember to include your name and reference number.
Make sure you read the papers if you haven't already seen the assessment report, read this.You may disagree with this If so you can write in and explain whats wrong.Best thing is to write bullet points and group criticisms. Give the worst examples. Don’t accuse lying, keep it impersonal, 'misunderstood or 'failed to record' is better because that is at least provable! You can include the points value you believe to be correct and say why.
If you have said everything leady, there us no need to repeat, but you can. If you have a more recent medical report send this in. Even if it reflects a worsening condition, it will still prove a continuation of disability.
However, there will be quite a long delay before the hearing.
I hope this helps.
LL26