ESA won last week! but odd situation:

I had a tribunal lined up last week and the CAB had advised me and I had paperwork to deliver. In the morning of the tribunal I was phoned from the Appeal office to say that my appeal had been allowed and I didnt need to attend. I was a bit put out by this, all charged up with my paperwork! It appears I have to wait now for the DWP to write with my back dated work related component money, it could take up to 3 weeks. My CAB benefits adviser wanted to see a copy of the decision notice. On the whole a good decision, but I am still wary.

This sounds like the story of the DWP and ATOS having access to the back office of the Tribunals is true if so this smacks of skullduggery they may be trying to reduce the workload of the Tribunals. They are getting a second bite of the cherry plus the results will be skewed when the stats come out, thousands will have never reached the Tribunal so their figures will be better belived or am I being to harsh on them.

It does sound odd. I've been waiting to start hearing of oddness emanating from the tribunals offices and I suppose this may be a portent of things to come. How will these cases be reported, one ownders, as they aren't being passed by the medicals and they aren't being awarded by the tribunals either. They're a bit like PFI funding, very expensive but off the books.

BB

Do you mind me asking if you think you stood any chance of getting into the support group?

I ask this because there is the danger that claimants who may well have been placed in the support group by the tribunal judge, could be being down-graded to main-phase ESA at such last-minute reconsiderations. Claimants are unlikely to want to go through another drawn out stressful appeal to try and get into the support group.

This could be a really serious issue for anyone likely to lose their contribution-based entitlement after a year, as that would not apply if they were in the support group.

Hope in your case you were happy with the the outcome.

Best wishes

Thank you all for the feedback about my news.

I was expecting to be in the work related group by the way but my periodic condition does prohibit work, however the CAB adviser didnt think it worth pushing for an extra £4.50 per week, as she put it.

However i am not aware of having the work component dropped after one year. Can you elaborate on whether this is fact, because if so I shall appeal. Please get back to me asap.

As to the workings of the Tribunal, i was mystified too, and annoyed! Even more annoyed if what you suggest is true. Even more reason to use this site!! Heartfelt tha nks...

Hi Iamawindsurfer

It's not the WRA component that will get dropped after a year. It's claimants in the WRAG and on contribution-based ESA that will be switched to Income-based ESA, if they qualify.

Derek