Appeal on Thursday, need some advice

LR

The most important thing is to understand the qualifying criteria for the Support Group, so have a good look at the write-ups for the Descriptors that you think you meet in the ESA Claim guides.

The panel will ask you questions about your conditions and how they affect you on a day to day basis, the questions will not be as obtuse as those in the ATOS assessment, but you may still need to take a minute to make sure what they are asking about, you want to try and explain what limitation you have, what it is caused by and how much/often you are affected by it.

Appearance should not be important unless your ability to look after yourself is something that you have mentioned on the form as being a problem, even if it is, just make sure you explain why you are well presented on the day and why it is an exception.

There will be two members on the panel, a "Judge" and a doctor, you should expect most of the questioning to be done by the doctor.

They should allow you a short period at the end of the Tribunal to make a statement, if you are not confident with speaking then it might help to write down what you would like to say and then read it out, that way you won't miss anything that you feel is important.

Best of luck.

Gordon