Sep 282016
Francis Ryan and The Guardian are desperately trying to find a disabled person who’s appealed a benefit decision with written evidence only (so not in person giving oral evidence at tribunal). Francis is doing it to highlight the problems with the government’s proposal to shift appeals online as advocates tell her that – as difficult as giving evidence in person is – doing it purely over paperwork severely reduces a claimants’ chance of success.
If you’ve appealed via paper/written evidence only and struggled please get in touch with Frances if you’re willing to speak about this. Her email is
francesryan.journalism@gmail.com
And they are no longer going to have medical people on the panels for PIP appeals, just retired solicitors so no one who understands the condition.
There is a 38 Degrees petition on this very subject. You can find it at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/dwp-changing-the-tribunal-process
This tactic beggars belief. Whoever dreamt this up has a twisted soul.