Why is sick note not recognised as unfit to work?

Buzby

Is it mandatory to attend a work capability assessment even though I've got sick note from my doctor?..

I dont understand why have a sick note if its not been recognised as unfit to work....

Morgan_Alumni

Hello and welcome to the community @Buzby. Yes you will usually have to have a Work Capability Assesment (WCA), even with a fit note from your doctor.

You have asked a good question though and you're not the first person to wonder this.

The sick (fit) note shows your doctor thinks you’re currently not fit to work, but the WCA is done by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to decide if you can get certain benefits like LCWRA element of Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

The DWP has its own rules for deciding who can get these benefits, so they need the assessment to check if you meet their criteria.

Buzby

Thank you for the feedback..much appreciated

If you don't attend the wca apparently they decide you are fit for work however doctors note says you are not.... is the doctors fit note not worth the paper it's written on?.... all seems a very strange situation.

OverlyAnxious

The reason you can be found fit for work if you don't attend the WCA is because the fit note doesn't provide enough information to meet the criteria for benefits. You can think of it more like a recommendation.

Buzby

Thank you for the explanation. I still find it very odd but appreciate the feedback.

poppy123456

A fit note isn’t evidence that you have LCW.