Benefits Guide for GPs'

Danday

Just noticed that a revised guide has been published for GPs'.
Quite entertaining when you read it

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691502/the-benefits-system-a-short-guide-for-gps.pdf

Under the heading 'for working age people' it tells the GP that PIP is for those under 60. Nowhere does it mention that currently people approaching 70 are having to claim it.
It goes into great length explaining that the claimant should NOT ask the GP for help in filling out the form or ask for any information to support the claim. The guide continues to state that the claimant is only asked to send in evidence that they currently hold and that IF the DWP want the GP's input they will ask him/her direct.

Then it carries on under another heading of 'For people 65 and over'.

As the patient’s doctor
You may be asked to complete the statement at the end of the Attendance Allowance claim form by your patient.

If the decision maker (a specifically trained lay person) can’t decide about benefit entitlement without further evidence, they may ask you to complete a medical report based on your medical records and knowledge of the patient

That is in total contrast to the advice for PIP.

What worries me is that a GP will get confused if a 69 year claimant (who by rights, according to the advice, should be claiming Attendance Allowance instead) tells the GP that the advice he has received is wrong as the PIP advice applies to those aged 69 as well.

A poorly written piece of garbage that I hope GPs' will disregard especially when talking to their 69 year old patient.

tomtom256

Danday wrote: »

Just noticed that a revised guide has been published for GPs'.
Quite entertaining when you read it

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691502/the-benefits-system-a-short-guide-for-gps.pdf

Under the heading 'for working age people' it tells the GP that PIP is for those under 60. Nowhere does it mention that currently people approaching 70 are having to claim it.
It goes into great length explaining that the claimant should NOT ask the GP for help in filling out the form or ask for any information to support the claim. The guide continues to state that the claimant is only asked to send in evidence that they currently hold and that IF the DWP want the GP's input they will ask him/her direct.

Then it carries on under another heading of 'For people 65 and over'.

As the patient’s doctor
You may be asked to complete the statement at the end of the Attendance Allowance claim form by your patient.

If the decision maker (a specifically trained lay person) can’t decide about benefit entitlement without further evidence, they may ask you to complete a medical report based on your medical records and knowledge of the patient

That is in total contrast to the advice for PIP.

What worries me is that a GP will get confused if a 69 year claimant (who by rights, according to the advice, should be claiming Attendance Allowance instead) tells the GP that the advice he has received is wrong as the PIP advice applies to those aged 69 as well.

A poorly written piece of garbage that I hope GPs' will disregard especially when talking to their 69 year old patient.

Did you actually read it?

"PIP is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16 to 64."

"For people aged 65 years and over Attendance Allowance"

Danday

tomtom256 wrote: »

Did you actually read it?

"PIP is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance for people aged 16 to 64."

"For people aged 65 years and over Attendance Allowance"

I know that but if you read the guide it clearly has two age groups and in each group the benefits that they can claim. Under the 65+ section there is no mention of anything other than Attendance Allowance and under the 16 - 64 section it includes amongst other things - DLA and PIP.
It does not mention that the 65+ group could well include DLA and PIP claimants.

So based on that guide the GP would be totally confused if a GP for a 69 year old patient was asked by the DWP to give a report for PIP purposes -looking at the guide it would not be possible.to claim that benefit.
Even more damning is the section relating to the completion of the PIP form and evidence to support it. The guide tells the GP that the claimant should NOT ask the GP for help in filling out the form or ask for any information to support the claim. The guide continues to state that the claimant is only asked to send in evidence that they currently hold and that IF the DWP want the GP's input they will ask him/her direct.
So if the claimant turned up at the surgery asking for any evidence or a report to support a PIP claim the DWP are stating that the GP should not do it.

pmduk

Personally, I'd rather my GP concentrated on medical matters and referred benefit enquiries to a more appropriate advisor.

Nannytone

Danday wrote: »

I know that but if you read the guide it clearly has two age groups and in each group the benefits that they can claim. Under the 65+ section there is no mention of anything other than Attendance Allowance and under the 16 - 64 section it includes amongst other things - DLA and PIP.
It does not mention that the 65+ group could well include DLA and PIP claimants.

So based on that guide the GP would be totally confused if a GP for a 69 year old patient was asked by the DWP to give a report for PIP purposes -looking at the guide it would not be possible.to claim that benefit.
Even more damning is the section relating to the completion of the PIP form and evidence to support it. The guide tells the GP that the claimant should NOT ask the GP for help in filling out the form or ask for any information to support the claim. The guide continues to state that the claimant is only asked to send in evidence that they currently hold and that IF the DWP want the GP's input they will ask him/her direct.
So if the claimant turned up at the surgery asking for any evidence or a report to support a PIP claim the DWP are stating that the GP should not do it.

The guide is aimed towards those but wish to claim a new benefit and not those that who already received it.
Sorry is correct that those aged over 65 will have to claim attendance allowance and not Pip whilst those who were under retirement age at the cutoff point will be transferred to Pip.
Therefore those aged over 65 being transferred aren't new claimants

Danday

Nannytone wrote: »

The guide is aimed towards those but wish to claim a new benefit and not those that who already received it.
Sorry is correct that those aged over 65 will have to claim attendance allowance and not Pip whilst those who were under retirement age at the cutoff point will be transferred to Pip.
Therefore those aged over 65 being transferred aren't new claimants

If that is the case, is there another guide that would be for renewal claims? I doubt it. The guide clearly advises what should happen with any claim, new or renewal.
It clearly states that the GP is NOT to help the clamant who is making that claim or assist in providing evidence in support of it.

Nannytone

Someone already on DLA or Pip would not be making a claim they would be having a reassessment of their existing claim.

You keep posting your interpretation of benefit rules. this is only ever a good idea if you actually know what you're talking about/B]

Danday

Nannytone wrote: »

Someone already on DLA or Pip would not be making a claim they would be having a reassessment of their existing claim.

You keep posting your interpretation of benefit rules. this is only ever a good idea if you actually know what you're talking about/B]

And in having a re-assessment would you go to your GP for evidence to support it? And if so what would you expect the GP to say?
It doesn't matter whether it is a new claim, a review or re-assessment the guide covers what the GP is/is not expected to do. Or are you suggesting that because it is a review or re-assessment the guide is ignored?

Just put yourself in the GP's shoes. He has this new guide in front of him and you go in looking for some evidence/report/letter to support the review/re-assessment. what should he do? Ignore the guide because as you say it only relates to new claims?

All that I am trying to say is that the DWP is clearly setting down in a guide what GP's should be doing with benefit claims - be they new or not. This when set against the advice I have seen over the years for claimants to contact their GP to get some type of letter of support etc is totally contradictory.

OK, for clarity and for reviews and re-assessments (giving you the benefit of the doubt), what are the rules that you must follow when looking for evidence to send to the DWP in support of that review or re-assessment?

Nannytone

I am commenting on your point about the age restrictions and not on the guidnce given to GPs.

Most people that have long standing illnesses or disabilities will collect evidence as they go along rather than waiting until they need it and then dash enough to get supporting letters from everybod.I go to the hospital twice a year and they send me a copy of the letter that they sent to my . That is my evidence . I have exactly the same information to hand as the GP has /B]

Danday

Nannytone wrote: »

I am commenting on your point about the age restrictions and not on the guidnce given to GPs.

Most people that have long standing illnesses or disabilities will collect evidence as they go along rather than waiting until they need it and then dash enough to get supporting letters from everybod.I go to the hospital twice a year and they send me a copy of the letter that they sent to my . That is my evidence . I have exactly the same information to hand as the GP has /B]

Yes I have the same situation - all are long standing and likely to kill me in time. Yet I have to go cap in hand every time to my GP in the hope that he can help me out with evidence.- seems that is now to be outlawed according to the guide.
I very rarely go to see the various consultants only because there is nothing that they can do other than arrange for more medication. Letters? I've never had one from anybody other than telling me when & where to go as an outpatient.
Personally I have let things drift from seeing anybody - it became too much to cope with - my life at the time was an endless roundabout of hospital visits which I got fed up with.

Tommo1980

I'm sure GPs have more important things to read than DWP guidance notes.