In WRAG but advisor is asking for fit note??

KBBarnes

Hello everyone, first time poster here

I suffer from BPD, depression and anxiety and have been on ESA in the WRAG for just over a year now. I received my second ESA50 booklet back in January and sent it off all fine and dandy by the date they needed it by and am waiting to hear back from them.

Anyway, I went for a work focused interview this week and the lady (not my usual advisor, I've only seen this one once before) is questioning whether I should be claiming ESA at all based mostly on the fact that I'm not currently on medication.
She's asked me to make a doctors appointment and to report back to her with a fit note if my doctor will give me one.

I'm just really confused by that. Does she actually have the authority to ask me to do that?
Surely that’s what the DWP and the whole assessment process is there for. I thought once you were placed in a group no further fit notes were required.

Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm at a bit of a loss with the whole thing.

KBBarnes

Anybody? I'm just looking for an opinion on where I stand with this situation.

pmlindyloo

So this is an opinion..........

Have searched but cannot find any legislation guidance about work focused interviews relating to your question.

My personal opinion is that you have been placed in the WRAG and as such no longer require fit notes. You are currently being reassessed and the decision will be made (ultimately by a decision maker) as to which group you should be in or whether you are fit for work.

I cannot see how this has anything to do with your adviser.

So, what I suggest you do is telephone and ask to speak to a supervisor/manager and tell them what your adviser has asked you to do.

I can understand your concern as you are afraid you will be sanctioned so go to the 'top' to get your answer.

Personally I find this totally unacceptable so do come back and tell us that the adviser has been sacked or 'disappeared' for retraining!

Alice_Holt

Once you have been assessed as not fit for work and placed in the WRAG then you should not need to produce a sick note.

The only time you may be required to produce a fit note is after you have completed a renewal ESA50 form, and are waiting for an (re)assessment. But the fit note then goes to the ESA processing centre not your adviser.

Do query this request with a supervisor/manager. It doesn't sound correct to me.

pmlindyloo

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Once you have been assessed as not fit for work and placed in the WRAG then you should not need to produce a sick note.

The only time you may be required to produce a fit note is after you have completed a renewal ESA50 form, and are waiting for an (re)assessment. But the fit note then goes to the ESA processing centre not your adviser.

Do query this request with a supervisor/manager. It doesn't sound correct to me.

Hello Alice.

Are you sure about this? I didn't think fit notes were needed during reassessment unless you were found fit for work and awaiting an appeal.

KBBarnes

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's comforting to know that I'm not the only one that sees something wrong with what she's asking.
It bugs me too that my eligibility for esa is the only thing she's focused on during the two WFIs I've had with her. She hasn't mentioned any kind of support or help. Seems a little fishy to me personally considering she doesn't even know me.

I'll see if I can get in touch with someone tomorrow and I'll come back and let you know how it goes.

TELLIT01

The person who you spoke to at the WCA is not medically trained and should not have voiced an opinion as the validity of your claim. If they have any concerns they should be raised through their manager. I would certainly raise it with senior management at the JC.

KBBarnes

My thoughts exactly TELLIT01.
She actually went so far as to compare her own situation to mine, basically suggesting that I shouldn't be claiming by telling me that she herself has depression and is on medication.
Not in any kind of helpful or encouraging way either, she definitely had an attitude about it all.

rockingbilly

KBBarnes wrote: »

My thoughts exactly TELLIT01.
She actually went so far as to compare her own situation to mine, basically suggesting that I shouldn't be claiming by telling me that she herself has depression and is on medication.
Not in any kind of helpful or encouraging way either, she definitely had an attitude about it all.

Methinks that this individual is overstepping her mark. Mind you in reality what should she do if she really has a suspicion that not all is well with the ESA claim? It is more than possible that she thinks/believes that the award is wrong and that it is a case of the OP 'working the system'.
Obviously some JC employees can be suspicious about any current award, the question is what should they do about that suspicion?
It certainly wont be the first time that an ordinary JC employee voices opinion which then results in an official investigation.
I have seen this happen with a JC employee who 'pushed' for action after seeing a neighbour that she knew was claiming a sickness benefit yet was more than able to tend his garden. In the round in those circumstances anybody car report anybody if they suspect that all is not well with what someone who is claiming a benefit.

Yes I would contact the JC manager telling him/her what has happened asking if it is acceptable for this employee to carry out what appears on the face of it, a 'witchhunt'. Maybe at the same time the OP could also ask what the normal situation is if any JC employee suspects benefit abuse.

benidorm59

No fit notes if in the Wrag or Support group are needed once assessed unless found fit for work at the next WCA

and

Maybe at the same time the OP could also ask what the normal situation is if any JC employee suspects benefit abuse

If they suspect benefit fraud there is a portal on their desktop where they can make a referral to the fraud section and this may or not be taken up by them. If the referral is taken up and is successful then an email is sent to the staff member.

mro

KBBarnes wrote: »

Hello everyone, first time poster here

I suffer from BPD, depression and anxiety and have been on ESA in the WRAG for just over a year now. I received my second ESA50 booklet back in January and sent it off all fine and dandy by the date they needed it by and am waiting to hear back from them.

Anyway, I went for a work focused interview this week and the lady (not my usual advisor, I've only seen this one once before) is questioning whether I should be claiming ESA at all based mostly on the fact that I'm not currently on medication.
She's asked me to make a doctors appointment and to report back to her with a fit note if my doctor will give me one.

I'm just really confused by that. Does she actually have the authority to ask me to do that?
Surely that’s what the DWP and the whole assessment process is there for. I thought once you were placed in a group no further fit notes were required.

Any advice would be much appreciated, I'm at a bit of a loss with the whole thing.

Sounds like she is making basic mistakes and her random opinion is most important thing, I would query this or make a complaint her and bypass her.

I'd also be more careful what you tell them, which can be used against you, which is unfortunate, but world we live in.

You can always raise a telephone query or complaint, which makes it easier.