fit note for ESA

lor6126

hi folks, looking for answer to a question.

I have recently transferred to contributory ESA, before that was on statutory sick pay. The last fit note my doctor wrote said it was for an indefinite period.

Am i right in thinking esa will not accept this as such, and how often will they require me to send one.

HB58

Your first 2 'fit notes' for ESA have to be for a shorter period ( 1 month I think, I know someone will correct me if I am wrong), after that it can be for a longer period.

Horseunderwater

3 months for first. Then as long as the GP will do one for. Keep a copy in case it goes missing.

lemontart

as previous poster states it is I believe there is a maximum time but cannot find any reference to it anywhere. The start of my issues (well officially) was 18 months ago and most of mine in that time have been 2 months to 3 months

nannytone_2

while i was in the assessment phase, my doctor gave me monthly fit notes, so it doesnt have to be for 3 months

Indie_Kid

They will accept a fit note with no end date. They did with me; but for some stupid reason, told me it running out after 2 weeks.:mad:

epitome

Fit notes

A doctor can only issue a maximum of 3 months during the first 6 months of a patients condition, after this it can be any length upto indefinate.

An ESA claimant may be starting to claim ESA more than 6 months after they have had the condition, so the first fitnote could legitimately be 'indefinate'.

However, you will find that ESA will only initially accept the fitnote for 3 months within the first 6 months of the claim. You can ask that the fitnote be referred to a DM for a decision whether it can be accepted for the stated period.

After 6 months all lengths are valid and will be accepted (or should be according to DWP guidance).

If a claimant has an indefinate fitnote on the ESA computer and they are found to have No LCW (they fail the assessment) then the guidance says the fitnote should be deleted from the computer because it is legitimate that the patient should have to go back to their doctor to be re-assessed by their doctor and a new fitnote issued for the appeal process. This only applies if the fitnote was indefinate.

If there is a gap of more than 10 days between fitnotes you can ask a DM to allow the gap.

If you can't get a fitnote you can state your reasons why and/or provide alternative evidence for consideration by a DM... for example a pregnant woman who is disallowed maternity allowance who is within 11 weeks from due date...cannot get a sick note because she is not sick... but she does have a MAT B1 which shows she has a LCW.
OR
A crazy person who doesn't trust doctors and only goes to alternative therapists e.g. herbalist, accupuncturist, homeopathy, or Reiki or whatever. They provide a letter from their therapist and it goes to a DM.

sh1981

lor6126 wrote: »

hi folks, looking for answer to a question.

I have recently transferred to contributory ESA, before that was on statutory sick pay. The last fit note my doctor wrote said it was for an indefinite period.

Am i right in thinking esa will not accept this as such, and how often will they require me to send one.

After 3 months first 6 months and subsequently every 6 months. Do check though. No such thing as indefinite. A 'miracle' is accounted for when benefits are paid, therefore you can technically be miraculously cured and they need to check that ever 6 months.

epitome

sh1981 wrote: »

After 3 months first 6 months and subsequently every 6 months. Do check though. No such thing as indefinite. A 'miracle' is accounted for when benefits are paid, therefore you can technically be miraculously cured and they need to check that ever 6 months.

Wrong............

sh1981

epitome wrote: »

Wrong............

How?

(The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.)

sh1981

epitome wrote: »

Fit notes

A doctor can only issue a maximum of 3 months during the first 6 months of a patients condition, after this it can be any length upto indefinate.

An ESA claimant may be starting to claim ESA more than 6 months after they have had the condition, so the first fitnote could legitimately be 'indefinate'.

However, you will find that ESA will only initially accept the fitnote for 3 months within the first 6 months of the claim. You can ask that the fitnote be referred to a DM for a decision whether it can be accepted for the stated period.

After 6 months all lengths are valid and will be accepted (or should be according to DWP guidance).

If a claimant has an indefinate fitnote on the ESA computer and they are found to have No LCW (they fail the assessment) then the guidance says the fitnote should be deleted from the computer because it is legitimate that the patient should have to go back to their doctor to be re-assessed by their doctor and a new fitnote issued for the appeal process. This only applies if the fitnote was indefinate.

If there is a gap of more than 10 days between fitnotes you can ask a DM to allow the gap.

If you can't get a fitnote you can state your reasons why and/or provide alternative evidence for consideration by a DM... for example a pregnant woman who is disallowed maternity allowance who is within 11 weeks from due date...cannot get a sick note because she is not sick... but she does have a MAT B1 which shows she has a LCW.
OR
A crazy person who doesn't trust doctors and only goes to alternative therapists e.g. herbalist, accupuncturist, homeopathy, or Reiki or whatever. They provide a letter from their therapist and it goes to a DM.

Entirely wrong. 6 months.