UC and a 'sick note'. Does a Dr's sick note have any power, status, or meaning?

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wild_one

Hi everyone, I've not posted for a while and I hope you are all keeping safe.

My issue is for my daughter who is currently claiming UC while jobseeking. In the last few weeks she has fallen ill and been signed off for two months. This has practically been ignored by job centre who still continue to contact her even though she has updated her journal about her current convalescing period. Today in the post she has received a UC50 WCA form. In all honesty, by the time the form is completed and sent back, and the invevitable face to face assessment is booked her sick note will be spent? It all seems totally unnecessary? What if she was in hospital with two broken legs, would she still be expected to update her journal?

So my question, bearing in mind the above, is, is this because the sick note is two months and not for example just 5 days? Does a Dr's sick note have any power, status or meaning whatsoever?

Thanks

steveo928

Hi @wild_one

From experiences and reading up online regarding WCA, I understand that on the 29th day of sickness the DWP will send the form out. Once completed and sent back they may request an assessment then they will decide on weather the individual is either

• fit for work
• has limited capability for work – this means the claimant will not have to look for work, but will need to take steps to prepare for work
• has limited capability for work and work-related activity – this means the claimant will not be asked to look for or prepare for work

If the sicknote was for, say, 14 days then the above process wouldn't be followed. I suppose it's just a blanket process covering any illness that lasts, or is likely to last, over 29 days? 

Here is a link that may be helpful, i'm not sure, apologies if not.

Changes to limited capability for work payments in Universal Credit - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)