DLA Tribunal Appeal?

Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know how long the wait is for a Tribunal to be heard?
I applied for DLA last June & surprise surprise on 22/08/09 I was turned down!
I received the statement of reasons dated 17/09/09 - they had totally ignored everything I had said.
They had contacted my consultant & he had put the bare minimum on the form which I guess is why I was turned down.
I put in for an appeal & eventually I received all the papers back.
The Tribunal service wrote on 3/11/09 explaining that because of the high volume of cases my appeal was not likely to be heard before 12/02/10 & that if I had not heard anything 2 weeks before that date I should contact them!
The enquiry form they also sent was returned with a letter of support for my claim from my GP.
I contacted them in early February to ask what was happening.
The person was very rude & said I had got it wrong, they had a huge backlog & it would be at least 6 weeks after 12/02/10, so today it is now 10 weeks later & I am still waiting & it is 25 weeks since the Tribunal service 1st wrote to me!
I know if I win it will be backdated, but that’s not really the point.
I have been on my local council housing list for almost 3 years as I am living in a 1st floor maisonette & am desperate to be re-housed if I do get DLA that will hopefully give me more points!
I just feel I am being fobbed off by everyone!

Regretfully, the period of time that a claimant may wait for a tribunal hearing has gone up considerably. This in the main due to the large increase in appeals due to the introduction of Employment Support Allowance which replaced Incapacity Benefit for new claimants with effect from November 2009.

There has also been an increase in the number of DLA appeals due to DWP Decision Makers not taking full account of the claimants's needs. This link will take you to the Work & Pensions Select Committee report on the quality of decision making HERE

Click on the links on the left of the page for full information.

Hi I have been reading all i can about
whats happening to us disabled people.
I think the only way to make these idiots
realize that when doctors consultants say
you are ill they do loads of tests 1 to
protect themsevels from leagal action by
signing any forms. Ok this is what we should all due apeal all there findings
and i know at the moment they cant cope as
i know a decision maker who cant not cope
due to claims and as gone off sick with
stress. We will block the system up and
perhaps they will get the message and stop
treating us the way they do.Please hound
your Mp he will get fed up. Lets remember
they cant provide jobs for the young and
more leave each year. If we stick together
they will see that they should rethink the all the changes they are trying to make. Keep your head up regards Mike

Well it pays to keep trying!
I phoned them on Friday & they had no idea how much longer I would have to wait.
They are dealing with last years claims, to which I said mine was from last November!
I said I had a lot of hospital appointments coming up & didn’t want to have to cancel anything.
She said it would be at least 2 weeks....
Low & behold today I received a letter to say the appeal will be on 14/05/2010!!
Fingers crossed all goes well!!

Just thought I would keep you posted!
I had a phone call yesterday to tell me that Fridays appeal was being cancelled!
One of the panel is stranded abroad because of the volcanic ash & it is too short notice for them to get a replacement!
They have no idea when the next appointment will be as there are only 3 sessions per month at my nearest venue!
I just dont believe it, talk about bad luck, I am near to screaming point!