no fit note

sightunseen

Hi all

First up, apologies if if the words appear to ramble or be incoherent but i have severe sight loss and use voice technology to interact and type for me.

Hope somebody can help a confused new UC claimant

I have recently migrated from IB JSA to UC after i received the migration letter.

I have never had any problems on JSA with looking for work etc and i do voluntary work with SEN children and have never once been asked to provide fit notes, following my UC interviews the work coach stated that i have to now go on the health journey route and start supplying fit notes.

She said that because i can only work limited hours per day (daylight) the committment can only be 25 hours and i will need an assessment etc

I receive both PIP elements at enhanced rate, and have been given the transitional protection part in UC.

I have a very old school GP and his attitude is that i am not sick or have an illness and my sight issues have never stopped me working in the past (pre redundancy) so he has refused to issue a fit note, the work coach said the disability advisor will now contact my GP to ask the reasons to be put in writing.

Is this the route i must take, i really dont want to go this way

I am so confused

poppy123456

To start the work capability assessment process off you must provide a fit note. The fit note doesn't need to say that you're unable to work. It can say something like, you're only able to work x amount of hours per week. Once you provide that fit note you will be referred for a WCA. Can your GP provide a fit note for that? You can also ask to speak to a different GP/doctor. A nurse or pharmacist can also provide a fit note.

Do be aware though that because your UC includes Transitional Protection, this will erode with the additional LCWRA element, if you're found to have this. Whether you'll be better off will depend on how much your TP is. If it's more than £416.19/month you will be no better off.

sightunseen

thank you for your reply.

I just cant understand why they want me to go down this route though, it has never affected my JSA, which i have been on for approx 14 months

I receive around £600 on the transitional protection, will i be worse off on the health journey ?

will i still be able to do my voluntary job ?

poppy123456

JSA was completely different. By going through the WCA if found to have LCWRA you won't be better or worse off. Your maximum UC entitlement will remain the same because the TP will erode by £416.19/month so it would be less TP but with the additional LCWRA element.

Yes, you'll still be able to volunteer for your work.

sightunseen

apologies for not replying sooner, for some unknown reason my voice control would not allow me to sign in, once said already signed in but unable to post. i think we have now solved the issue though, so here goes

i ahve now made several visits to gp but he still refuses my request for fit note, stating that as i am in voluntary employment, he sees no reason why i cannot do full time, the medical centre has removed me from their list stating, patient and GP breakdown and advised of GP in area

can i send in a note from a private gp that deals with my condition, this would not be a med three, my sight issue was treated originally under private medical insurance

still confused, please help if you can

sightunseen

oh well, looks like i am on my own as usual

Albus_Scope

Apologies @sightunseen due to the nature of the community, with people helping in their spare time, sometimes it can take a while to get replies. Would you be able to speak to a different GP at the practice? You may have more luck with someone a bit more understanding?

WhatThe

Hello sightunseen and welcome to the Scope forum. You are never alone here. There so many daily posts that they quickly fall away so please keep posting.

How awful of them to discharge you, a patient who clearly needs support. It happened to me once but I don't have severe sight loss.

If there's a choice and you are able to then visit surgeries whose catchment area you are in before you register. You can register on the first visit if you take along ID and proof of address.

I'm sure a private GP can issue a Med3 (or letter) if any old pharmacist you've never met now can under new rules! The certificate just doesn't carry the weight it used to. Any supporting medical evidence is proof of your disability. Your voluntary role is proof of your willingness to work. IB plus enhanced PIP is proof of your entitlement to incapacity and disability benefits.

Keep reminding yourself of this. Do they have evidence that you no longer meet the qualifying criteria for those benefits? No.

Registering with a new medical practice this week should be your priority and I hope you find a better one.