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Tribunal Adjourned today - 2nd time ! Very difficult to cope.

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1 day 8 hours ago #305326 by Tom137
Hi all,
Diagnosed with CFS (2018), depression (1996), and anxiety (2016), I’ve been fighting for PIP since a 0-point assessment (Nov 2023). My evidence is I believe robust.
My tribunal has now faced two adjournments:
• March 19, 2025: DWP failed to provide evidence (LCWRA, PIP 2017, ESA). This delay worsened my anxiety/depression.
• June 5, 2025: Postponed due to an incomplete panel / judge illness.
I requested a DWP settlement pre-June 5, but got no response. Delays are causing financial stress (CCJ, supporting wife and four kids). I’ve sent an urgent hearing request to HMCTS, citing my crisis. Any advice on pushing DWP or expediting the hearing? How long for an urgent request decision?
Thanks,

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14 hours 3 minutes ago #305376 by BIS
Hi Tom137

I'm so sorry that you find yourself in this position. Unfortunately, there is very little advice I can offer here because it is an issue with the Tribunals Service. It's unfortunate the judge was ill, and it has had to be rescheduled. All you can do is keep contacting the Tribunals Service and ask them how quickly you can be offered another date. The DWP didn't contact you before the Tribunal to say they were going to change their mind and offer you some award, so they appear to be prepared to fight you on this.

I understand your reasoning that this situation is causing you financial stress, but that's not an argument that will influence anyone's decision on when the tribunal may be held. If I've understood you correctly, this is the first time you've applied for PIP - so your situation is different from someone who might have had an award reduced or cut altogether. Please don't think I'm being unsympathetic - I'm merely saying how the DWP will view it. If you win, the award will be backdated to Nov 2023 - (That will be nice if you are successful, but it doesn't help you right now).

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Tom137

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13 hours 44 minutes ago #305380 by Tom137
Thank you for your reply. I was previously awarded PIP at Tribunal in 2017 - didn't initially reapply as I thought I had cracked it! I was awarded ESA Support group around that time. I was also awarded LCWRA within the relavant Tribunal timeframe for this current application.
The faliure of the DWP to provide this evidence was the reason for the first adjournment.
I have applied for a rapid resisting for Tribunal on their recommendation citing mental wellbeing and financial hardship. This was on the recommendation of the very helpful person at HMCTS.
I don't think a call to the DWP would go amiss especially as my understanding is that unacceptable delays and further harm may come under their duty of care due to past failures.
Apologies if this is coming across as rather blunt and too the point.

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13 hours 32 minutes ago #305383 by BIS
Hi Tom137

You don't come across as blunt at all. You fight them any way you can. You have nothing to lose - but I've never known the DWP to care about anyone's financial hardships!

Good luck - I hope you get a decent person on the phone! I would ask for a call-back with a case manager, rather than trying to get your point across to the call handler.

BIS

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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13 hours 2 minutes ago #305385 by Tom137
Yes. Case manager request was my intention. Let's see how it goes :)

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12 hours 53 minutes ago #305387 by Orangeblossom
Do you have a copy of the ESA / LCWRA medical report, you could supply the appeal with if the DWP are not doing so perhaps

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