Aaaaargh

CoolgirlM

It is unusual for a Tribunal to be booked so quickly but you should not read anything into this, it is purely an administrative process with no regard to the content of your appeal.

Gordon

Hi CoolgirlM

Yes, you can write a personal statement and submit it with your evidence for the panel. If I was doing it, I would address the statement to the judge and panel (even though you won't have their specific names), and explain in the first paragraph just as you have done so above why you're including it in your evidence.

BIS

Hi CoolgirlM

Your question is not an easy one to answer. The panel have to read through every page of the case and if you have a lot to say then, you should say it and not worry about the number of pages. The most important thing is to make sure where you are challenging the assessment report you keep the PIP criteria in mind. I would also make sure you signpost any evidence you have throughout your pages. So for example if you're talking about Preparing a meal - I would have something like:

I am unable to prepare a basic meal due to severe osteoarthritis in my fingers as noted by Dr X - consultant rheumatologist (letter dated 3/10/18) where he says ' the patient's fingers show severe deterioration in the past five years'. Although the assessor said I could use adapted cutlery - this is untrue as noted by the report from K Langham - Senior Occupational therapist (letter dated 4/12 18).....

Obviously I completely made that up - but I think that it's always useful to flag up any evidence you have throughout your replies - because it links it clearly to the PIP criteria. It doesn't matter how many times you refer to the same report - it just hammers it home.

BIS