How long before you don't need a doctor's certificate to claim IB?

Garnet_Gem

I'm waiting for an operation and have been on IB since February. Someone told me that the DWP doesn't ask for a doctor's certificate if you've been getting this benefit for more than 6 months Is this correct? If it's true is it an automatic procedure or does the doctoe or DWP tell you if you don't need one? I hope to have my operation before too long and get back to work but who knows when with the NHS.

ALIBOBSY

As far as I am aware this is not true. The doctor may choose to give you a longer length of cert or even an open ended cert (usually they will sign you off UFN until further notice), but you can't just stop providing certs because you have been on for 6 months. Even if your doctor gave you an open ended cert you would still be subject to any regular medical checks the dwp sent you for and their own doctors could find you fit for work. I think the rate paid goes up the longer you are on benefit this might be what happens at 6 months?
ali

ALIBOBSY

Just a thought if your gp knows you are basically not going to be fit until after the op perhaps he would be able to write you a longer cert so you didn't have to see him as often?
ali

seven-day-weekend

The DWP will tell you when they no longer require a medical certificate - usually after you have filled in a questionnaire and had a medical.

Glyndwr_2

You do have to continue sending in certificicates until the DWP tell you not to. Do not just stop sending them in or your benefit can be stopped. One of your letters you'll have received says this.

I think what your friend is getting confused with is that you only have to send them in for the the first 28 weeks of a claim or until you pass a personal capabilty assessment (PCA). However, this does not mean you just stop sending them in. Only once you are told you no longer have to send them in should you stop.

For the first 28 weeks of your IB claim you will be assessed under the ‘own occupation test’ (assuming you have worked at least 16 hours a week in 8 out of the last 21 weeks immediately before the claim). It will normally be enough to provide medical certificates from your GP to confirm that you can’t work.

After 28 weeks of incapacity, or sooner if you haven’t worked recently, the JCP will want to do a ‘personal capability assessment’. This is designed to assess your ability to do any sort of work, not just your usual job. It looks at your ability to carry out a range of activities such as walking, standing and sitting, and includes an assessment of your mental health if appropriate.

You'll be sent an IB50 booklet to fill in & may be requested to get a Med 4 from your GP.