PIP + ESA + FT Student - Sick note

BakerStreetBusker25

Hi

I was advised by a local welfare support centre that, as I receive PIP and am about to start a full-time university course, I should apply for ESA. My student loan may be too much for me to get it, I'm not sure yet - but any amount of ESA would give maximum amount of housing benefit.

My question is regarding being asked for a medical certificate. I don't fully understand why I need to provide one if, as I'm told, full-time students with PIP automatically are assessed as having limited capacity to work. However, DWP asked for it and I have read that I should supply one. I saw my GP and he was a confused as to what the medical certificate would be - a. not fit for work or b. fit for work taking in to account adapatations, amended duties etc. I don't think DWP will accept option a. because I am coming from full-time employment. He asked me to look into whether there is anything else he can supply that would support my claim.

Am I then not eligible for ESA? My GP said he would happy to help but doesn't understand how I can be unfit for work when I am unemployed....

This is all very confusing, can anyone help explain please?

Thank you

Alice_Holt

There was a similar thread about this exact topic a few months back.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5606697

Try contacting this organisation for advice:
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/helplines/disabled-students-helpline

I think the DWP employee is mistaken, as a higher education student you should be automatically counted as having limited capability for work. So you should not need a fit note.
If you contact the helpline, they may be able to give you the relevant ESA regs reference. You can then phone ESA with this info - if the DWP telephone operator still won't accept this, then ask to speak to a manager / decision maker.

w06

I'm a full time PhD student and although currently funded it may run out before I find a job and so I applied for ESA last month, I just wrote in several places on the form, and in the additional info bit that I'm a full time student and therefore do not require and am not entitled to a fit note. i.e. quote their rules, it seems to have worked. Where it asked for the details of the doctor issuign fit notes I put my gp's details but reiterated that he is not supplying fit notes.

Now i just have to hope i find funding before I need to tell them my income is zero!

BakerStreetBusker25

So I received several letter regarding my claim. The first asks for a medical certificate as mine is about to expire (presume this is the 7 day self-certifcation, as I didn't supply this (given advice about and what I'd reading concerning Regs 18 & 33.

The second stated that they have assessed I am eligible for contributions based ESA from 1st September, however I am not eligible for income-related esa as my income (student loan minus special element - £8,896) is more than I need to live on.

The third letter supplies and asks for the the capability tor work questionnaire to be returned.

Does anybody know whether this is all correct? Does their assessment of my income sound right? And also do Regs 18 + 33, automatic assessment of limited work capability for students receiving DLA/PIP, apply to contributions based ESA, therefore meaning I shouldn't have to complete the work questionaire/attend a WCA.

Thanks

BakerStreetBusker25

I think, reading the CPAG ESA guide (not allowed to add url), that for contributions based ESA I would have to be assessed. Also it says that more of your loan is counted for now than previously and so I think my income is a fair bit higher than what would qualify.