Moving from IS to UC with a power of attorney - help please:)

Three7six

I'm power of attorney for a friend who has autism and borderline personality disorder. Their benefit letters come to me and I receive Carers Allowance for them. They're moving closer to me, and moving local authority area so have to move to Universal credit from Income Support (they are definitely on IS and not ESA). As I receive CA, they don't get SDP, so there's no option but to claim UC. They also get higher rate PIP.
I've been told they'll need sick notes and they have to attend an appointment at the jobcentre, which they can't do. They're non-verbal with strangers, have mobility problems and severe anxiety that results in self-harm. As their POA, can I either attend the appointment on their behalf or can they not attend it? They have very little medical intervention because they agreed in 2012 that lifestyle and stress management were the most important factors and I'd like to avoid any problems.
Thank you

sassy_one

No, you will not be able to attend the appointment in their place, they will need to be present.


And they will also be required to attend a medical assessment which again, they will have to attend.

Finally, yes they will need sick notes but again, no you won't be able to obtain these for them, they will need to be seen by a GP who will document the issues and issue a sick note if they believe it prevents them working.

calcotti

If they are unable to attend the JobCentre for medical reasons you should be able to get the DWP to do a home visit.