IB query - Do you need a GP to agree?

new_leaf_6

I'm trying to persuade my mum (56) to get apply for Incapacity Benefit. She's a widow, suffers from different chronic illnesses and has a lot of pride. The problem is that she won't ask her GP for help as he's not very approachable and seems to be on a mission to get people off benefits. Anyway, can she claim by filling out a form without his permission? She says that she doesn't mind anyone in authority asking for hospital or medical reports and would gladly go to medical examination but she won't involve her GP other than agreeing that he should release her medical reports. Any advice welcomed please.

kronas

new_leaf wrote:

I'm trying to persuade my mum (56) to get apply for Incapacity Benefit. She's a widow, suffers from different chronic illnesses and has a lot of pride. The problem is that she won't ask her GP for help as he's not very approachable and seems to be on a mission to get people off benefits. Anyway, can she claim by filling out a form without his permission? She says that she doesn't mind anyone in authority asking for hospital or medical reports and would gladly go to medical examination but she won't involve her GP other than agreeing that he should release her medical reports. Any advice welcomed please.

she needs a medical certificate from the GP, then from there she is free to apply for it, in the forms it does state who they should contact regarding your condition(s) and you tell them who you wish for them to contact, someone from the hospital, your GP etc

cattie

Yes she needs a medical certificate from the GP & once she has been signed off by her doctor long term she will probably have to go for a medical with a DWP doctor.

Then if she is lucky she will be told she no longer has to send in any more certificates, but can be called back periodically by the DWP for further medicals.

If she wants to claim incapacity then her only way is to make an appoinment with her GP to discuss her health issues & ask to be signed off sick. If she is reluctant to go alone, couldn't you offer to go along with her for moral support?

GP's are under a lot of pressure from the government to both get people off sickeness benefits & to avoid them claiming them in the first place if possible, so your mother shouldn't take the GP's attitude personally. If she is incapable of work then she needs to make him understand this.

Feux_Verts

I assure you that it is no hassle for your GP to process her certificate. It's all done by computer nowadays and is totally confidential - she shouldn't worry about "wasting the doctor's time".

Tell her to drop a request into the GP practice (just phone them) and I'm sure it will be plain sailing from there.


FV

kronas

if there is medial evidence suggesting that she has a long term illness which can stop her from working then as has been said should be no problem, if the GP is being awkward go to see someone who deals with her at the hospital, ask for their opinion, if they say yes and the consultants opinion is that then tell them what your GP is doing, there was a link somewhere which says someone who is a physician or consultant at the hospital can issue them, whether you are an in or outpatient, ill try and find it!

krisskross

Is she or has she been working? I think there are NI contribution rules associated with Incapacity benefit.

handbagfetish

Hi,
this is my 1st post so I'm very self conscious about writing, here goes....

1st: Your mum will need a medical certificate from her doctor to be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. The certificate is the DWP's way of confirming that your mum is currently incapacitated and unable to work. Even if your mum has been in work, she will still need to provide a medical certificate regardless of her contribution record.

2nd: If your mum is already claiming Bereavement (widows) Benefit, she may not qualify for Incapacity. The two are considered to be 'overlapping' benefits, i.e. they cannot be paid concurrently. It may still be worth putting in a claim though beacuse the Bereavement Benefit is calculated using her late husbands NI contributions and the Incap would be calculated using her own; the DWP would pay whichever is the higher of the two.

I really hope this helps some.

HBF

new_leaf_6

Thank you all so much for your advice. I'm going to go to her Doctor's with her as support. She's got plenty of NI contributions because she's one of those people who's worked all her life and hates the thought of "being a burden to society"..!! The word "entitled " doesn't seem to ring a bell with her.

Bruja_2

It may be a good idea for your Mum to change her GP if she finds him unapproachable. She would benefit from a Doctor who is more supportive.

new_leaf_6

Just a thought - do you ask outright for a sick note (politely of course) or do you have to wait and see if the GP offers one? My mum has been so poorly (goes to bed when she gets home from work) but has carried on working beyond when I think she should.

krisskross

I think she has to put her cards firmly on the table. Ask if there is anything that can be done to improve her health. If not then point out that she cannot manage to work so needs a sick certificate.

Please assure your Mum that she is just the type of person the Welfare State is supposed to help. And perhaps after a while she will feel able to go back to work if she wants to, but something less taxing, shorter hours etc.

Good luck!!