Couple of questions about UC, fit notes, & WCA appeal payments.

Mickpeasoup

Hello guys,

My fit note is due to expire on the 25/4, in a few days time, and UC have requested another on my "to do list".

I phoned my GP, but he stated he can't issue one post dated.

As he can't issue one post dated, where do I stand? I ask, because my current one will expire & it'll probably be a couple of days later than expiry when I can get a new one.

Will my claim close, be found fit for work, etc'?

On a different note - when appealing a Universal Credit WCA decision, do you still get paid & still have to obtain fit notes from your GP until the tribunal?

What is the full process for appealing?

I'm sure I read somewhere that payments completely stop while appealing or similar.

poppy12345

Your claim won't close, the only time this would happen would be if earnings reduce your UC entitlement to zero or if you had savings/capital of more than £16,000 in the future.

I don't know if they are asking for fit notes to be actually sent now but they haven't yet asked for my daughters fit note, i've just been asked to "hold onto it." Providing your next fit note is dated from the date when your existing one ends it will be fine.

If you're found fit for work once the decision's made on your WCA then the procedure is the same as it was for ESA and you appeal it.

UC doesn't just end like ESA did if you're found fit for work.

Spoonie_Turtle

Phone up on the first day your fit note expires, once it's issued and you know the dates you can log the dates on your claim, no problem.  For various reasons beyond my control I never had the fit note on the day it was issued, and sometimes not even the day after.  But even if there was a delay of 2 or 3 days filling in the to-do on my claim, it was never a problem.

The main thing is that they together cover a continuous period if you're hoping for LCWRA so that they can pay it to you in your 4th month after declaring the health condition, rather than having to wait longer because of a gap that your fit notes didn't cover.

Mickpeasoup

Thank you, Poppy & Spoonie Turtle.

@Spoonie_Turtle or @poppy12345 - so are you saying if I'm put into the LCW or LCWRA group after the WCA, I won't actually get paid the going rate until 4 months since the start of my claim?

I also have to hand in 4 months worth of fit notes if this is the case, I presume?

I started my claim circa 5 weeks ago for what it's worth, have returned my UC50 a couple of weeks ago with various evidence, & am awaiting my WCA whenever that may be.

poppy12345

Mickpeasoup said:

Thank you, Poppy & Spoonie Turtle.

@Spoonie_Turtle or @poppy12345 - so are you saying if I'm put into the LCW or LCWRA group after the WCA, I won't actually get paid the going rate until 4 months since the start of my claim?

I also have to hand in 4 months worth of fit notes if this is the case, I presume?

I started my claim circa 5 weeks ago for what it's worth, have returned my UC50 a couple of weeks ago with various evidence, & am awaiting my WCA whenever that may be.

To received the extra money you need to be placed into the LCWRA group and not the LCW group. Claims that started after April 2017 and are placed into the LCW group do not receive any extra money. In the LCWRA group you will receive an extra £343.63 per month.

Yes, the waiting period is 3 months and you will receive the extra money from the 4th month of your claim. Like ESA with the 13 week assessment period.

Do be aware tho that sometimes it can take longer than just a few months to assess you and for a decision to be made on your WCA so it could mean that you will need to send in fit notes for longer than 4 months. If it does take longer and you're placed into the LCWRA group then you will recieve backdated money.

My daughter is just ahead of you with timescales here and started hers in the middle of January. The end of this week she will receive her 3rd UC payment. I returned her WCA assessment form at the begining of April.

Mickpeasoup

Cheers for the info' @poppy12345

My GP only gave me a short 6 week fit note, but said he'll review things when it expires & extend if necessary.

Fingers crossed he gives me more after that one expires.

I managed to get some mental health therapy lined up for July, so as my mental hasn't improved & there's a long time until July, hopefully he'll provide the fit notes until then.