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New ESA claim & fit note

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4 years 6 months ago #251860 by Rainbownut
New ESA claim & fit note was created by Rainbownut
Hi everyone,

I’ve just applied online for contribution based new style ESA for the first time.
I have quite a long list of different diagnosis’s (hEDS, POTS, MCAS, ASD, ADHD, M.E & fibromyalgia among a few others!), but as we moved to this area a year ago, most of my care has been from consultants with the local GP surgery just providing the prescriptions & dealing with little extra things on top (like a chest infection).
So the GP’s don’t really know my day to day struggles.
I was in yesterday for ongoing headache issues & while the GP was booking a head & neck MRI, I asked about the procedure for a fit note once I did apply for ESA.
Well the GP slightly misunderstood me & quickly handed me a fit note, while saying ‘they’ are really good at getting even bed bound people able to work these days & even with fluctuating illnesses like mine. He gave it a 2 month length, saying it would be all sorted by then too!
I’ve just properly looked at it, after hitting send on the online ESA application & seen that he has ticked that I may be fit for work, but crossed out the 4 adaptions & under comments listed a couple more of my diagnosis (with a horrendous Erholos spelling of Ehlers Danlos!!).
I’ve been told that he should have listed work hours & adaptions in this area, if he felt I could work?

Can I still use this fit note? Or will it damage my claim too much?
From my understanding I should be put in the support group. I am currently waiting for my PIP MR decision to come through, but several of my consultants wrote me really good support letters for PIP that I will be able to send to ESA too. Plus I’ve just been given a wheelchair (to be pushed by someone else, as I can’t self propel) & a walker by the M.E clinic O.T.....who is coming out on Monday to assess me more & agreed to also write a good support letter.
But will the G.Ps incorrect fit note (as he doesn’t actually know my struggles) override any other evidence I supply? Should I attempt to get a correct one issued?

Thanks in advance for any advice. I’m still feeling battered by the horrible PIP process, that clashed with fighting for my sons DLA claim at tribunal (that I won!), but my husband is very likely to be made redundant soon, so I thought I better put on my big girls pants & get the ESA claim started now!

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4 years 6 months ago #251879 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic New ESA claim & fit note
Lisa

I would not expect it to be an issue, the DWP are only interested in a Fit Note being issued not what it actually says. Providing you are able to provide Fit Notes until a Decision is made you will be OK.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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