Fit Note Process with Universal Credit

KMoo

Hi folks,
Am doing this post for anyone who is like myself and on UC but is now handing in sick notes from Dr (or whoever) and doesn't know the process or thinks they need to claim ESA (like I did).

From what I conclude from below and further looks online, the UC35, is the letter sent out to you after 28 consecutive days of sickness stating "you have claimed Universal Credit and have been sending in a Statement of Fitness for work (also known as a fit note) because you have a health condition or disability." and letting you know the UC50 form in en route which you have to complete, sign and send off.
Once this is done you will receive a call from the Assessment Provider (CHDA) to arrange a time and date for your WCA and then you will receive a letter confirming this (can't see a timetable for WCA, just the referral onto them with sick notes as 28 days).
You will then attend a WCA similar to (or the same as) the ESA WCA and will receive decisions in the same way, a letter after the time from DWP detailing their decision.

Hope this helps anyone that ends up in similar situation as me and keeps getting passed from UC to ESA and back and forth again


Copy of UC35; https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/282341/response/721952/attach/8/UC35%20Claiming%20Universal%20Credit%20when%20you%20have%20a%20health%20condition%20or%20disability.pdf

Copy of UC50 (similar to ESA claim form.. relevant help guides for ESA from likes of CaB, B&W, Advice Works, should be useful for UC50 also); https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/282341/response/721952/attach/9/UC50%20LP%20Capability%20for%20work%20related%20activity%20questionnaire.pdf

Below is a summary of what the guidance states.
1. The UCKM content item Setting work related requirements states Work Coaches may
identify circumstances when the claimant's work search and availability requirements will
be temporarily switched off, for example if a claimant sends a self-certificate/medical
evidence report of an illness of up to 14 days.
Another piece of relevant UCKM guidance of interest is Switching off requirements -
Temporary absence for Medical Treatment.
Guidance on receiving a statement of fitness for work is in the following pieces of UCKM
guidance:
 Receipt of a statement of fitness for work or Return to Work Plan - explains what
happens when a Statement of Fitness for Work (SoFFW) is received.
 Actions when no Statement of Fitness for Work has been received -
explains what happens when a SoFFW isn’t received and what actions are taken.
 Action on the 8th day of sickness the claimant is contacted by telephone to see if a
new SoFFW is needed.
 Contacting a claimant about their Statement of Fitness for Work describes the
action to take when a claimant has not sent in a SoFFW after being sent a reminder 7
days before it was due to expire.
2. The piece of UCKM guidance Referring a claimant to a work capability assessment
indicates the form UC35, which is the example referred to, is sent after 28 days of
sickness.
If a claimant doesn’t receive a form they’ve requested, they should contact Universal
Credit to request a duplicate as soon as possible.
The relevant piece of UCKM for contacting Universal Credit is Contacting Universal
Credit overview and relevant information is available on https://www.gov.uk/universal-
credit .
If a claimant requests a duplicate UC50 the relevant piece of UCKM guidance is Duplicate
UC50 medical/health questionnaire requested.
3. The UCKM piece Referring a claimant to a work capability assessment refers to Health
Disability Assessment Services rather than ‘medical services’. The Centre for Health and
Disability Assessment (CHDA) replaced ATOS in February 2015. Unfortunately, we are
unable to provide a contact number or address as this organisation is acting on behalf of
DWP and all enquiries must be made through DWP. A claimant can contact CHDA
regarding their Work Capability Assessment on the telephone number that is enclosed at
the bottom of their letter inviting them along to participate in an assessment.
(Above pinched from FOI reply HTML; https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/dwp_procedure_when_fit_notes_are?unfold=1#incoming-747975 )