UC50

paries1

Hi everyone, could I use older letters from therapists that say “ im not fit to work at this time “ from my previous therapists ( they are a few years old ) . I have older psychiatry reports that I’ll def include just not sure about the older dated letters . 

Also could I use same evidence for my pip claim ? 

TIA

poppy123456

It doesn't matter how old the evidence is, if it's relevant to how your conditions affect you then send them. However, if they just state "you're not fit for work" and nothing else then ask yourself is that going to help. In my opinion it won't.

PIP isn't about being unable to work so a statement saying you're not fit for work isn't helpful.

paries1

poppy123456 said:

It doesn't matter how old the evidence is, if it's relevant to how your conditions affect you then send them. However, if they just state "you're not fit for work" and nothing else then ask yourself is that going to help. In my opinion it won't.

PIP isn't about being unable to work so a statement saying you're not fit for work isn't helpful.

Ok thanks poppy,  both letters which I got from my 2 previous therapist have more detail about my conditions and struggle but also say not “fit to work at this time “ they are both really good letters about my struggles and conditions it’s just that they are dated from a few years ago and the sentence “ not fit to work at this time “  is my only concern as they are dated from when o was seeing them. I have also asked my GP for a supporting letter particularly relating to PIP but he is kind of useless  so I’m not really hopeful about that . 

I understand PIP is not about your ability to work but if letters talk about daily struggles surely that’s relevant to both UC50 and PIP? 

poppy123456

I inferred from what you said that the letters just said "you're not fit for work" and nothing else, which was why i gave that advice.

As they go into more details than that, then yes, absolutely send them in for both PIP and UC. It doesn't matter how old they are if the information in them still applies.

Letters from a GP are never the best evidence to send because they don't spend anytime with you to know exactly how you're conditions affect you. You can tell them but then it will just be "hearsay" if they charge for letters they write then i wouldn't pay for that. You even said yourself that he's useless.

paries1

poppy123456 said:

I inferred from what you said that the letters just said "you're not fit for work" and nothing else, which was why i gave that advice.

As they go into more details than that, then yes, absolutely send them in for both PIP and UC. It doesn't matter how old they are if the information in them still applies.

Letters from a GP are never the best evidence to send because they don't spend anytime with you to know exactly how your conditions affect you. You can tell them but then it will just be "hearsay" if they charge for letters they write then i wouldn't pay for that. You even said yourself that he's useless.

 I have seen and spoken to him quite a bit in the last few months so he understands a bit of what’s it’s been like for me in the last few months, I only asked him because I wanted something more recent as well . 

When I say ‘ useless’ I might be being a bit harsh as he has referred me to 3 separate clinics. TBH I just think he struggles in dealing with me .