Unsure of what evidence to provide UC/WCA

Hello

I have posted recently regarding concerns with UC50/WCA on mental health and some physical health grounds.
I have sent the UC50 form. I recently spoke with a mental health nurse at my GP surgery and they reassured me that DWP (or whoever it is that requests more information), would get in touch if they wish for more information and seemed to try to dissuade me from requesting a letter. I am now unsure if I should pursue an updated letter/report from my GP to send. It will cost £40 and apparently will take up to 5 or 6 weeks to prepare. I have a ‘not fit for work’ note to cover me until January. I wondered if it would be best to pursue this or trust that my GP will give appropriate and supportive information. I am usually distrustful of GPs and feel they are often dismissive towards me. I don’t have that much contact with my GP surgery because of this, however I don’t really have any overly involved specialist input for my conditions at present so I fear that they (DWP) will go in for the jugular and I am so worried and anxious thinking about it. I had previously posted to state that I was so concerned that I might cancel my UC claim but thinking about it I will likely keep it open for longer term security. I have had no luck getting benefits advice locally thus far so any advice is appreciated.
Thank you.

NB. I have sent them a psychiatric report, an older GP letter outlining my diagnosis and a report outlining my learning difficulties diagnosis. I am also in the process of an ASD assessment that I advised them on.

Hi BIS

I appreciate your guidance. I will request a letter as indeed, my gut instinct is to do so.

Thanks again!

hi flowerpot82
My daughter was in this same position recently.
I am her Appointee.
I wrote to her GP surgery requesting a letter.
Seeing as she rarely goes to see the GP and that she does not have recent professional evidence, but very good ones from a few years ago, in the letter I provided the GP with how she is affected in terms of PIP questions.
I put the question and bullet points underneath with examples and facts of how she is affected.
I had no other way around this because they did not know her directly. I then booked a GP appointment to ask for the letter personally, explain how she was affected and give the GP a letter personally. She also needed routine bloods to checks for deficencies due to restricted eating problems and they were requested too. The GP saw my daughter in that consultation.
It helped me that the professional reports from a few years ago stated the same things.
You might like to consider proving your GP with some important details so they can be included in your letter. It will take you time to do it but will surely be worthwhile....

Timescales are a problem. At our surgery we had to wait 3 weeks for the appointment, then we were told it would take 3 weeks for the letter. This is not helpful when in a PIP process. You can always send on the letter as additional information. Firstly, write on the application form that a letter from your GP will follow on when it is available. When your receive it send it on with a cover letter stating you had notified them previously that this letter would follow on.

The GP surgery asked if I wanted them to send it or if we should. They will send it first class but they do not send it as a signed for mail, so I told them I would send it. It also meant I could see what was written. If there had been any omissions or errors I would have contacted them about it. They send a copy to my phone but the letter headed paper could not be seen so I had to go to the surgery and collect the letter to read and then post off.