• Replies 19 replies
  • Subscribers 35 subscribers
  • Views 542 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

On the use of forms

Hairyloon

I've been fighting with the court about their application forms as a point of principle, but in the course of proceedings the question has raised of whether people with divergent mental makeup might actually really struggle.
They do give me some trouble, when they ask questions that are not relevant in my case: there is always some doubt about leaving things blank.

While i hesitate to call autism a disability, it is legally recognised as one, and if people do actually struggle with unnecessary forms, then maybe I should carry on the fight for their benefit.

Any thoughts?

Parents

  • If I have to fill in a form I tend to go to pieces and have a panic attack, give me a 10,000 word essay to write and I'm fine, but a form no. I think one of the problems with forms, especially benefit forms is that they ask you for the same information in multiple questions and woe betide you if you answer it differently. There is a lack of understanding about how people with any sort of learning difficulty might cope with them, the colours of the forms and the fonts used can be problematic.

    There's always an assumption that everybody with a disability will have a helper to do all this stuff for us and generally navigate our way around the system and if you don't have one there seems another assumption, that you can't be disabled if you don't have a helper. At a time when finances are stetched to the point where those who need help to do the real basics like washing and eating are struggling for enough help, do they really think that those of us who need occaisional help with particular things are a priority?

    If fighting for this sort of thing feels right and you have the ability and patience to do it, then go for it.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman
    TheCatWoman said:
    If I have to fill in a form I tend to go to pieces and have a panic attack, give me a 10,000 word essay to write and I'm fine, but a form no.

    How would you feel about writing an essay about why you shouldn't have to use the form?

    Lord Justice Dingemans, the Senior President of Tribunals has created a new rule which requires that the forms must be used unless you have permission not to. It's here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Practice-Direction-Use-of-Forms-in-the-First-tier-Tribunal-General-Regulatory-Chamber.pdf

    There is no know reason for this Practice Direction. I have asked my MP to ask the Lord Chancellor why they approved it.
    As far as I can tell, they have done it because of the total mess that they dug themselves into when somebody didn't use the form: it really was a proper pig's ear.  I can tell you all about it if you're interested.

    TheCatWoman said:
    If fighting for this sort of thing feels right and you have the ability and patience to do it, then go for it.

    I'd been finding it quite entertaining, but it had got to the point where I wasn't sure if it was worth the effort. Although it is easier to apply by following the rules, it is easier to fill in the form than to fight about it.
    However, if there are people like you, who have real problems (and clearly there are), then that makes it worth doing.

    If you want to help, you could write to your MP about the President's Practice Direction.

Reply
  • in reply to TheCatWoman
    TheCatWoman said:
    If I have to fill in a form I tend to go to pieces and have a panic attack, give me a 10,000 word essay to write and I'm fine, but a form no.

    How would you feel about writing an essay about why you shouldn't have to use the form?

    Lord Justice Dingemans, the Senior President of Tribunals has created a new rule which requires that the forms must be used unless you have permission not to. It's here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Practice-Direction-Use-of-Forms-in-the-First-tier-Tribunal-General-Regulatory-Chamber.pdf

    There is no know reason for this Practice Direction. I have asked my MP to ask the Lord Chancellor why they approved it.
    As far as I can tell, they have done it because of the total mess that they dug themselves into when somebody didn't use the form: it really was a proper pig's ear.  I can tell you all about it if you're interested.

    TheCatWoman said:
    If fighting for this sort of thing feels right and you have the ability and patience to do it, then go for it.

    I'd been finding it quite entertaining, but it had got to the point where I wasn't sure if it was worth the effort. Although it is easier to apply by following the rules, it is easier to fill in the form than to fight about it.
    However, if there are people like you, who have real problems (and clearly there are), then that makes it worth doing.

    If you want to help, you could write to your MP about the President's Practice Direction.

Children
No Data