Tribunal Service confirm they will only post DWP confirmation an appeal has been registered with them…....

For your information - we have received an update from HMCTS regarding the Direct Lodgement process -

HMCTS cannot accept an SSCS1 form without a handwritten signature. The form cannot be submitted electronically at this stage unless it is in the form of a scanned copy of the original - however an email address for the electronic transfer of signed scanned copies of the SSCS1 is still apparently to be determined.

HMCTS can accept the form by fax - England & Wales: Fax 0870 739 4108
Scotland: Fax 0870 324 0164

HMCTS advise that appeals will be registered within 3 working days of receipt whether received via post or fax.

They ‘anticipate’ that the appellant will received confirmation that they have received the appeal form no later than 7 days from the date it was posted.

HMCTS will send confirmation of the received appeals to DWP via Royal Mail.

They advise that there will be no electronic transfer of information or confirmation via e-mail to DWP.

Now I know I am rather a cynic but given the sometimes extensive delays that can occur in DWP dealing with post, it is difficult to have any confidence that such correspondence from HMCTS will be dealt with as a priority in the midst of all of their other post….......

Thoughts anyone?

Not cynical at all in my opinion. Why there can’t be an electronic transfer of information between the two organisations is beyond me.

I think there’s every chance of us spending hours on the phone playing piggy in the middle between TS (who will tell us that the confirmation was posted to local BC) and local BC (who will deny all knowledge). With the client left in limbo obviously.

Couldn’t agree more…......

Assuming ATOS manage to wade through their backlog, we await the plethora of mandatory reconsiderations that are going to descend on us, the concept of prompt communication between departments just doesn’t seem to have been captured…..

Tribunal User Group meeting ahead, will be interesting to see what if any feedback there will be.