Hello ny name is Sinica, I have questions about UC, where can they get the medical evidence?

Sinica

Thank you for having me with you

Albus_Scope

Heya @Sinica and a warm welcome from me too!

So what brings you here today? If you need help with anything, ask away and we'll all do our best to support you.

If you wanted to make friends and have a light hearted chat, I'd head to our Coffee Lounge. Or there's the Games Lounge if you wanted some fun and easy games to play.

Sinica

First of all, I want to thank you, this site was very helpful. I wanted to ask for your help 3 days ago and when I started to write to you, I received the message I was waiting for a long time UCD35. I applied for UC on  January 29, 2024 as a couple because my husband has been unable to work since November.  He has been suffering from gout for 20 years, but in the last year it got worse, the attacks were very frequent and only in the knee.  Despite the pain, he continued to work and probably the physical effort made in construction aggravated his illness. Since November, he could not walk at all. The GP treated him for 2 months for gout, although we explained to them that a crisis lasts a maximum of 2 weeks, no  he received a referral to a specialist doctor.  5 consultations all over the phone with different doctors. No one saw his inflamed knee. When I applied for UC on the health status I wrote GOUT, this was the diagnosis from the GP. After a week I went to the hospital to the emergency room where after they  took X-rays and diagnosed him with moderate osteoarthritis (cane, physiotherapy, MRI). The first fit note was from February 6 with osteoarthritis and gout. We were called to the job center on February 29, one day after the end of the first period of  evaluation. The identity was checked and nothing about health. I wanted to show them the aptitude note and other proofs, and they told me that I don't need to give them further aptitude notes. On March 7, I received a message in the diary as an aptitude note  it was rejected because gout is not a health condition. I explained to them that the medical certificate is for osteoarthritis and gout and I asked them to check it and send it to the WCA. On March 26, I submitted a new medical certificate.  On March 28, I again asked them to send me to the WCA. On April 3, they replied that the medical evidence must be checked. I asked them to make an appointment to bring them.  On April 5, I received a message that they have them. On the 16th, the acceptance notes were accepted and UCD35 message. On April 18, I received the envelope with UC50. It will probably take another 3 months until the evaluation and the rights come in. I can't understand  why didn't they check the evidence when I went to them. How was the fitness certificate rejected and then accepted? I have a question that would help me a lot if you could answer me: Where can they get the medical evidence?  From the GP they had the contact details of the doctor and I applied online for PIP where I sent all the evidence. I am waiting for a reply thank you.

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Sinica, welcome to the community. I'm not too sure why they would have done that, but I have moved your post over to our Universal Credit section. Hopefully one of our members has been through a similar thing and might be able to shed some light on what's happened for you. I hope you get it all sorted soon

poppy123456

May is ask what you mean by aptitude note? And what do you mean by evaluation and rights? 

Sinica

Good evening, first of all, I'm sorry my English is not very correct. It's about the note from the doctor that he can't work. The first time they refused it and after 40 days they approved it.  I recorded in the diary the start date and until it is valid and the details of the doctor who completed it. When I went to the job center and I wanted to show them the medical evidence, they said that it was not necessary. They could ask for them at the GP or they have access  to the medical evidence I sent for PIP?

poppy123456

The job centre will not want to see any medical evidence because that’s not their job.

The UC50 form needs to be filled out and returned no later than the date in the letter. When you return that form you can send any supporting evidence with the form.

They very rarely contact anyone so you should rely on that.

Once the form is received an assessment is most likely. This will be either through telephone/video or face to face at an assessment centre. Once an appointment becomes available he will be contacted. 

Waiting times could be anything up to about 6 months, sometimes sooner. 

Once a decision is finally made a letter will be uploaded on the journal. Until then fit notes must continue to be sent until a decision is made. 

Sinica

Hi mac 123456 I knew that too but they didn't send UC50 and I asked to send it to WCA. comentariul tău

Sinica

Type your comment

poppy123456

I don’t know who or what Mac is? You said in a previous comment that you had received the UC50 form so you will need to make sure you send supporting evidence with that. 

Sinica

Good evening, please give me some advice. I have completed the UC50 and I want to send it, my problem is that the envelope is too small for all the evidence. Can I send the medical evidence separately in another envelope?

poppy123456

Just put everything in a bigger envelope altogether. 

Sinica

Thank you for your answer.