Tribunal for IB is a WINNER!!!

Just thought I should say thank you to this site and it's moderators for providing me with the advice and information I needed to lodge a successful appeal against loss of IB last November.

The tribunal was last Tuesday and despite the Dr present being a little "inquisitorial" and somewhat obtuse at times, I won the day. The judgement was given orally so I do not as yet have the details on additional points awarded (I had 7 and needed 10 Mental Health descriptors). Nonetheless - justice has prevailed.

The ATOS/Lima medical is clearly flawed and in need of a major re-think. I am fortunate to be a verbally dextrous and intelligent man of 51 with many experiences of dealing with officialdom, but these last 7 months have been a horrid and angry period in my life. How those with limited education and vocabulary are supposed to deal with this unfair and loaded system is beyond me.

So, no more visits to the Job Centre to sign a piece of paper saying I have been looking for work when I hadn't, no more job focussed interviews and the knowing looks of staff who also know full well that you are only there to get an improved benefit rate whilst your appeal is held. It's unethical, it's immoral and whilst lies and deceit might suit the parliamentary expenses system - it has no place in a welfare society!

Anyhow, to those who are still fighting - DON'T GIVE UP - the more pressure that system is subjected to the quicker the cracks will become crevasses and the whole thing collapses in a heap.

Now I can concentrate on my therapies and get well enough to start work when I know I will be ready and able to succeed and not as a result of a medical press gang!

By the way, when I was forced to sign for JSA I always put a "WP" after my signature - "Without Prejudice" - I don't imagine for a minute it has any legal standing, but it gave me a secret smile every other Tuesday!

Good luck to you all, and thanks again for this excellent site.

Peter

Well done.
"the more pressure that system is subjected to the quicker the cracks will become crevasses and the whole thing collapses in a heap."
Bring it on, a wonderful thought.

Dear Peter,

I count myself as having recovered 50% from my major breakdown a couple of years after a few years of being bullied. However, I found myself crumbling into a heap when I was interrogated recently. I cannot imagine been able to face a Tribunal hearing. Is there a verbatim or verbose account of such a hearing anywhere in this site? It would certainly help someone like me or someone less eloquant prepare.

Congratulations, you'll need a month's rest after all the stress. Well done.

Well done Peter G

It is obvious you are very good at expressing yourself and I hope you will read the B+W blog below:

Tables turned - your chance to shop DWP and BBC

It strikes me that you would be able to express your opinions in a clear and concise way to the EHRC much better than I can although that won't stop me trying I hope you feel able to do this as I think this would help us all and maybe even yourself.

Thanks

Great news Peter. And so similar to my own experience. I've gone through this twice -2 appeals in the same number of years, and both (eventually) successful. My nerves were in shreds both times, but I'm glad I just didn't lie down and take the opinions of prejudiced 'decision makers' and mercenary Atos doctors.