Claiming Universal Credit and my GP Refuses to Provide Fit Note

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31depressed

Hello everyone.   

I am new on here, am feeling extremely worried and anxious and looking for help.  I have panic attacks, severe anxiety and depression, as well as not being physically fit anymore, now that I am in my 50's for work.  I am on Universal Credit, and recently went to see my GP who refused to provide a fit note, despite another GP in my practice providing me with one mentioning how my mental health was preventing me from being able to look for work.    I provided financial statements showing all the money I have available to survive on, going back to April this year.  However, I was asked to provide financial statements going back to April last year, with details of what I had spent my money on, which I refused to do, because this is not information the DWP need, and I believe there are data protection laws which state they should not be asking for this information, because my bank and pension statements have the amount of money available to me on them.  I also believe that even if I had provided financial statements going back to April last year, the DWP would just have used this information as an excuse to close my Universal Credit account.  I have less than £10,000 in savings and had less than £10,000 savings at the time my account was closed.   The reason given for the closure of my account was that I had £16,000 or more, which is and was not true.   I also needed a fit note, however, when I went to my GP, she refused to provide me with a fit note, despite another GP having previously provided me with a fit note, detailing my mental health issues, which prevent me from being able to either look for or do any work.

I have opened a new Universal Credit account and have started a Mandatory Reconsideration of the decision to close my account and am going to attend a further evidence appointment this afternoon in connection with my new Universal Credit claim.  However, I am looking for help and advice as to what to do in case my GP refuses to write a fit note, because I find it extremely tiring and I get out of breath these days, even when just going to the supermarket and back.

Thank you.

HollyGCat

Hi,  Welcome. Have you tried self referring to the Single Point of access MH service in your area?  Might be a bit of a wait, but might mean that you will see MH specialists who understand the benefits system and MH better perhaps?  Also somewhere like Mind or CAB?  Might be able to help you get what you need.  I don't understand well UC, but PIP I do, and this is not means tested.  Is there a reason why you can't apply for PIP instead?  Also, you mention a private pension, which is NOT classed as earnings for benefits and many are not means tested.  It seems like you have an unsympathetic GP.  Can you request to speak to the one from before?  

If you can't work because of a disability then you should be able to make a claim.  I am not as I say, to aware of universal credit as I have never applied for it.  The benefits I know that savings/private pension are not counted for are Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit (MH can be an Industrial Injury), PIP and if you are diagnosed with a Severe Mental Impairment, Council Tax (though this does depend on your own local authorities interpretation).  Difficult to answer without knowing more.  I feel like reading what you have put you need to push the GP to refer you on.  I would contact someone like Mind or CAB in the meantime.  Best wishes.