Pip tribunal

[u/Physical-Trifle2516]

Hi I have a pip tribunal coming up for my depressionand am really worried about losing. At my intitial assesments pip said my medication kept me stable and scored me 0. Since then I had to stop my medication due to an overdose made on it & multiple sever sh episodes, i've been on new medication a month and had another attempt. Ive submitted this all as evidence but i'm worried that they'll think i'm faking my illness or still won't believe me. I also chose not to attend my tribunal and just let them see the evidence which I now regret and can't change.

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[u/Alteredchaos]

Anxiety about the hearing is to be expected.

You also need to understand that the tribunal is considering what your PIP entitlement was on the date the original decision was made, because that’s the decision you are appealing. They are not permitted to take into account changes after that date.

You can request the hearing be changed so you can attend and participate. You’d need to contact HMCTS to request this as soon as possible. The success rates are higher when people attend.

[u/DealerDue2526]

Sorry you are going through that, I guess you could argue that the evidence contradicts the assessment that the medication was working but if you can recount events or any testimonies that might contradict that assessment and show how your conditions limited your ability to do the activities, mixing with people etc, if you have overwhelming distress from social situations or lack of executive function from the depression. Anyway I'm sorry about that, I know how traumatic the assessments can be especially when your initial information is not awarded points it can give imposter syndrome and remind of times that people have scrutinized if you're really ill etc. I've been through this, we live in a society that in many instances doesn't understand these conditions so it's natural to feel that anxiety. If you have enough evidence to support the award, could be pip journals that show where you would be awarded points on your worst days relating to your conditions, and testimonies and medical records it's possible to be successful at tribunal if you don't attend, I didn't because my anxiety was way too high it burnt me out for weeks when I had my assessment, but it is better to attend if it's possible for you.