In my assessment, after the usual list of conditions, prescriptions etc bit, the assessor went straight to one of the later criteria where she expected me to score 15 points and once she'd confirmed that, it was done. I suppose there's no point dragging it out and wasting their own time if it's cut and dried - the more assessments they do each day the more they get paid apparently.

I've still not heard anything so you've got a quicker reply than me.

Was this a small claim? If so, the amount that can be claimed for expenses is extremely limited. I'm also finding it a little difficult to work out how it could have cost you £1200 to defend unless you instructed a solicitor.

I would also particularly focus on the condition as being totally unsuitable for a baby who is likely to be particularly vulnerable for some time.

I don't want to raise false hopes, but I believe that such a short assessment is usual where it's clear fairly quickly that the support group criteria apply. Fingers crossed for you both.

I'm trying to get everyone to talk to me on that basis, sent all the letters this morning with copy PoA and copy authority, so fingers crossed. Most of the payments for which we have no information are standing orders to the likes of Capquest, but with no reference number quoted, so presumably they're either tracing the correct account to credit by means of the name and address or they're just sticking it in a general account and waiting for someone to get in touch about it. Either way, apart from one credit card which has only a very small balance, Dad has definitely not received any correspondence from any of these people for at least 18 months. There's also an Orange account, presumably for a mobile phone, at £38 a month, only Dad doesn't have a mobile and couldn't use one if he did. He last had a mobile at least 3 years ago. Obviously it's not Orange/EE's fault if the contract has never been cancelled, but you'd have thought they'd query an account that hasn't been used at all for that long. I'm hoping I'll be able to get some of the money back, but I'd settle for cancelling the contract with no notice required.

Mum has Power of Attorney for her husband who has Parkinsons and lewy body dementia. Whilst she's managing the day to day stuff, she is really struggling to cope with finances, not least because she's caring full time and doesn't get 5 minutes to herself most days. She's asked me for help with sorting out Dad's bank account as there's lots of payments going out every month that she knows nothing about. Spent a day yesterday going through all the paperwork she has (she saves everything, but Dad went through a phase of throwing everything away without opening it just before he was diagnosed) and I've brought home everything I think is relevant, but dealing with it all is not going to be simple - for lots of things all I have to go on is a name, not even a reference - and though I have a copy of the PoA and signed authority from Mum, I don't think the banks etc are going to want to talk to me. It would be a lot simpler if Mum could add me to the Power of Attorney, but from what's on the OPG site we don't think this is possible. Does anyone know of a way around this?

I've just done a request using their form, I'll let you know when/what arrives.

Remind them when you arrive that you have a deadline, and remind them again at 1 minute past your appointment time and again half an hour before your daughter has to leave. If you're still there when your daughter has to leave, then tell them their time is up and go with her - it's not your fault if they've been given plenty of warning.

On my next form, I'm planning to sellotape a piece of paper over my name and address, list of conditions and anything else I think they will probably read saying that if they mess up and send me to a 3rd floor assessment centre 40 miles away with no accessible bus service and no parking again I will sue each and every one of them personally. I'm hoping this means that if they decide I need a face-to-face again it will go straight in the 'home visit' pile and, when they find one willing to be recorded, the doctor allocated will read it properly the day before the appointment and decide that no visit is actually needed. Again. If only they would get the degenerative and incurable thing, we wouldn't keep having to go through this.

I thought you could only claim daily living component outside the UK, not the mobility component?

The advice in the post above yours is excellent. Are there any charities specifically in relation to your child's illness? If so, they may be able to help with an appeal. Try not to take it personally, DWP is apparently on a mission to reduce the benefits bill by any means possible and many, many people have to appeal to get benefits awarded for illness or disability these days, however the appeal success rate is quite high (over 60%) so don't despair.

"The matter has been settled and the terms of the settlement are confidential".

I've seen another thread in the last day or two mentioning using those tax years to assess a claim which turned out to have been issued in error, I wonder if the DWP have a gremlin issuing irrelevant letters at the moment? I know exactly what you mean about DWP envelopes - horrible sinking feeling at the mere sight of a brown envelope on the mat. I'd be tempted to ignore the letter for now, but if you have to phone or get someone to phone and query it.

You might also consider contacting, or threatening to contact, Booking.Com as there's bound to be something in their terms and conditions which prevents property owners from doing exactly this, and depriving them of their commission.

Yes, get your partner to write something, the more detail the better and giving examples wherever possible. If you let them read your form first, they should make efforts not to use your words but stick to what their own words. Letters from GP and psychiatrist are only useful if they say why you might meet some of the criteria or why it would cause a risk to you or someone else to find you fit for work. If they say no or just write something not useful, don't worry as most people don't have medical evidence. Not all assessors will agree to being recorded, however you can insist on rescheduling until they do find one who will agree. So far as your back is concerned, why not keep a diary of how you're affected every day and include an (edited if necessary) version of that? Your back might also affect your ability to sit and stand so don't just focus on walking, and include the side effects of the painkillers. Your tribunal report from last time would be useful if it details where they scored you points and, unless your condition is significantly different, it is definitely relevant if only to tell them you won't just let it go if you're found fit for work.

My original post from a couple of days ago seems to have disappeared forever, so I'll try to recreate it. Not necessarily in this order, but I would :- 1. Check the list of descriptors (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/228/contents/made, in the Schedules) to see where you should score points. Make sure you give enough information to show how you meet each one, e.g. for mobilising, you could put something like 'I cannot walk more than a few steps without support because the pain in my hips is unbearable after less than a minute. I cannot use crutches or mobilise using a manual wheelchair because of the pain in my shoulders and hands. If I try to walk I end up in so much pain that I can't do anything else for the rest of the day and I am at risk of falling. The last time I tried to get to the toilet on my own during the night I fell and banged my head. Because my bones are so brittle there is a danger that I will suffer serious fractures if I fall.' Note the format - what you can/can't do (walk more than a few steps), why (because of pain), why you can or cannot need or use relevant aids (crutches or wheelchair), what happens if you try/when you last tried, use wherever possible and appropriate of 'risk' and 'danger'. 2. Browse the WCA handbook (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/work-capability-assessment-handbook-for-healthcare-professionals) for more info on what the assessor will be looking for - if you can provide it on or with the form, there is an outside chance of avoiding a face to face at all. 3. Take your time filling in the form. Don't tick any of the boxes unless they fit your circumstances exactly, and don't be afraid to just put 'see attached' in the box and write an essay if it helps explain your problems. Use the descriptors and the handbook to make sure you cover all the relevant information. 4. When you think you've finished, leave it a day or two and then reread everything again to make sure you haven't missed something important - it's amazing how you can get so caught up in what you're writing that you believe you've written something which you haven't. 5. Include any medical information which is relevant and if you can get statements from anyone who helps you or knows you well, whether or not they're professionals. Their statements should focus on what your restrictions are and/or how much help you need day to day. If you have the information from your tribunal, include a copy of that too. 6. AT LEAST 4 days before the form is due back, and having taken copies of everything you are sending, take it to the post office and get a free proof of posting. 7. In the bit that asks about any special arrangements you might need, ask for the assessment to be recorded. 8. When you get an appointment, be aware that they won't necessarily have read anything you put so don't expect them to meet any of those special arrangements - phone to check, especially the recording bit. (You can have home assessments recorded too). 9. If you can, phone again the day before your assessment to check that a recorder is available. If it's not, or if it's not there when you turn up, you are entitled to insist that they re-schedule.

I'm reassured that I wasn't imagining things anyway - if it doesn't reappear I'll try to repost in a day or so.

I'm sure I posted a reply yesterday with links to the descriptors etc, but it seems to have disappeared?

I took the lump sum, DWP weren't interested.

Thanks for the advice. Making a counter-offer without the confidentiality clause seems to be the answer.

The defendant in a fast track claim has made an offer for an amount which is acceptable to the claimant but is insisting on a confidentiality clause which the claimant does not want to sign. What are the potential cost implications if the claimant continues with the claim and is awarded that amount or less?

I ended up having to go all the way to a Court hearing before Curry's compensated me for being messed around beyond belief over delivery of a washing machine, they didn't respond to anything until I actually issued proceedings. How long is it since the machine was delivered? Do you have anything from Curry's accepting that the machine was damaged prior to delivery? What solution would you prefer - repair, replacement or your money back?

Probably quickest to phone and ask for the form. For reference, you only get severe disability premium with income-based ESA, not contribution-based.

I'm not claiming compensation for the delay or care costs, I'm claiming for discrimination arising from disability so it does matter that I was separated from other passengers and put in a worse hotel. The Equalities Act applies to airlines just as much as any service provider, other than during the actual flight. I'm claiming for injuries and injury to feelings, the exact amount being based on the Vento scale and subject to the court's discretion. It's likely to be fast track not small claims.