Very Confused With Benefits

nannytone_2

not all doctors will pre date a sick note ... mine doesnt.
they wont give you another until the day that the previous one runs out

TELLIT01

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Keith - 1 of the 1st 2 questions I got asked before I answered advisors ESA1 questions was did I want to claim IR/Cont type - .

The question itself is somewhat misleading. You can certainly claim Contributions Only benefit if you know you won't fulfil the requirements for Income Related. e.g. over £16k savings, partner earning too much or working over 24 hours.
I think I probably misunderstood what you meant when you said ask for Income Related. I read it as meaning you could elect for Income Related rather then Contribution based, you cannot do that. If you qualify for Contributions based, and Income Related would pay the same amount, you will be classed as being on Conts with all the limitations which go with it.
It's perverse that those who have worked can end up with fewer benefits than those who haven't, but that's the reality.
Many GPs won't give an initial medical certificate (statement of fitness for work) for more than 2 or 4 weeks but the maximum DWP will accept until you have been claiming benefit for 6 months is a certificate for 3 months.

Horseunderwater

Nanny - I meant for OP to get next fit note to run from date 1st one ends - but there can be an overlap of a few days if the GP will not pre date, so long as next one leaves no gap.
Keith sometimes it is hard to write what you want to say, so it's easy to understand.

stevemLS

GP's are not permitted to pre-date Med3's unless they are basing it on information received from another (e.g. hospital) doctor.

Whether they do or not, of course, is another matter.

FBaby

If you are still too much in pain, then get a note from your GP but be prepared to fail your ESA and have to claim JSA anyway.

dis-use osteopenia is a common condition that is only an issue in that it is a precursor to getting osteoporosis, but as long as you are on the right drugs and doing what your GP recommands it is manageable, so you are right that this alone will not mean being entitled to ESA.

startingagain14

FBaby wrote: »

If you are still too much in pain, then get a note from your GP but be prepared to fail your ESA and have to claim JSA anyway.

dis-use osteopenia is a common condition that is only an issue in that it is a precursor to getting osteoporosis, but as long as you are on the right drugs and doing what your GP recommands it is manageable, so you are right that this alone will not mean being entitled to ESA.

It's not just the pain, I can only move my joint so much. And it's not osteoporosis it's osteoarthritis. I've never seen my GP for it as I'm still under hospital care as an outpatient.

Yeah I can see by the points system I probably won't be entitled to ESA, so then do I just claim JSA alongside PIP?

startingagain14

Horseunderwater wrote: »

OOPs re child.
Yes go to your GP for the med3 & ask for a 3 months sign off. For ongoing Pain/mobility issues as reason.
BTW not daft - this is why this board exists. Keep a copy if you can, when I did mine I scanned them into my PC both sides. Make note when it runs out & get another to run from expiry for another 3 months - but do it 2 weeks prior so that you have it ready to send in.

Thank you. I'll make an appointment on Monday. Do GPs charge for this as it seems like a waste of an appointment?

Horseunderwater

No. Med 3's are free.

startingagain14

Horseunderwater wrote: »

No. Med 3's are free.

Thank you.

allen35

As you intend to apply for PIP it would be a good idea to let your GP know of your care needs so he can note them on your records.

DWP may request evidence/information from him in the future regarding your mobility and care needs.

Many illnesses are treated through a hospital and therefore a GP wouldn't know of the difficulties you're having, unfortunately first point of contact for DWP seems to be the GP.