Fit Note - I am in the Wrong Group?

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and finished reading the UC guide. I currently have MS, Dyspraxia and suffer from severe anxiety and depression so these are a toll on me and my capability to understand it all!!

I'm new to the benefit system but really nice some advice/suggestions. I was told at the start of the UC claim that I would need to be put on another group (LCW) as they're aware of my mental and physical condition.

My health has limited me to move (I am not mobile), so I cannot attend face to face interviews. The moment I said that I couldn't, they said it would be a one-off time that we will have a phone interview and that they could not make adjustments until I get a 'fit note' from my GP.

What's unusual for me is that when I am writing the message on the 'Journal', the original coach never called me on the agreed date/time and until 1 week later another coach took his place - not sure why that happened or has happened to anyone? Anyway, this "new" coach was not helpful, he was quite dismissive and made it seem that I need to commit to the UC conditions otherwise I would be sanctioned regardless of my disability.. BUT each time I explained my conditions he said get a 'Fit Note'. He then went on to explain, that even with a 'Fit Note', I still need to attend the interviews over the phone as I still need to commit..?? To me that defeats the purpose of the 'Fit note'.

Unfortunately, speaking on the phone is mental torture with my mental health conditions as it impacts me mentally and exhausts me to no end! I am taking medication and in Therapy ATM for it so it's on my NHS medical record.

My questions:

1) Does the fit note make me exempt from the "phone interviews" or commitments for the duration of the fit note.
2) Why or how do I move from here to the group for limited capability of work? Will I automatically get a form to be completed. If so, will I be notified about this?

Thank you!

Hi MS3
Gary has given a comprehensive reply but just to say that I understand it is confusing. I am not an expert like Gary so can only go from my experience. When you apply for UC they simply do not accept your word about your health. You will need to first contact your GP to get a Fit note. I found our GP very helpful about that - they get so many requests for Fit Notes. Ideally get one for a period of 3 months - any longer than that, seems to get queried.
You normally just input the dates of your Fit Note onto the UC system and keep a copy as proof if it is ever queried. You don't have to take it in or send it to them unless asked. I am afraid without a Fit Note you wont get far on the UC system.

You also need to see/speak to the Work Coach at least once and agree commitments. They like to see you and see your ID so they can say they have seen you at least once unless it is not possible in which case you need to say that and explain why. We did have to go in person but I insisted a carer had to come as well.

The commitments have to take into account your Fit note and so they can just be things like attending therapy or something along those lines (to demonstrate you are trying to help your situation). If you attend any groups or have any therapy tell the work coach that is what you are doing with your time. I think the work coach just likes to have something to put on there as a commitment so if there is anything you are doing anyway, it is good to mention it. If there really is nothing, you should not have to agree to things you cannot do. If your Fit Note says you are not able to work, they should not be able to pressure you to look for work at all at this stage.

The Work Coach (warning) will then want to put down a date to see you/speak to you again. Some of them try to say they want you to check in every week. I managed to get them to agree to make it every month by saying it was unreasonable and caused additional health issues and also extra costs arranging for a carer to attend as well. They accepted that. I did need to speak up about that.

When you applied for UC you presumably said you had disabilities which prevent you from working. Once you put in the Fit note and see/speak to the Work Coach the first time, that should automatically trigger you to be sent a form to fill in and return detailing about your Work Capability. It is not an easy form but there are guides on here to help you. Then once you send that in, you just have to wait (potentially many months) until they assess your work capability - they use the form but also can call you in to be assessed. In the meantime, the Fit note should be enough to cover the fact you are not working.

Once they do get around to doing the assessment they will decide if you are capable of any sort of work or activities and put you in one of the groups. But until you get that decision, you need the Fit Notes - if the first Fit note runs out you will need another one until that assessment has been done and a decision made.

That is how it is working for us anyway. Good luck.

Thank you Gary and Teddy!

I couldn't find my posts until now and see that you provided me with an indepth answer. I just wanted to say that I have now started the process with the fit notes and submitted my report for UC by following the guides. Your help thus far has been invaluable and helpful and I am awaiting to hear back from them! Fingers crossed.