IB what happens

[lormc22]

hi all i wounder if some one can help i had a operation on 1st june to fix my shoulder on the 9th june i went back to work untill the 13 (the surgeon told me to take time off i thought i was being clever and decided not to ) im self employed and pay a part stamp class 2 i ended up pulling the tendon the doc had just fixed while helping a child who was having a fit ( i take disabled children to school )
so i have been off work from the 13th june i have been told i may get IB by a friend so im off to the doctor to night but when do i say i need the sick note from the 13th or today the 20th and do i just say can i have a sick note ??? i cant lift the arm and dont get the staples out of the wound untill monday then i have to have weeks of physiothrapy i just dont have a clue thanks for any help

[forgottenone]

Mmm ... as you may or may not know IB is currently a minefield due to ever confusing and changing legislation caused by David Freud's political scaremongering earlier this year ... IB is changing from around October this year to ESA ... this means IB as it was will no longer exist. Any new claimants from now onwards will automatically have to attend an interview ... far as I know ... from that month onwards to participate in a new test to see 'what you can do' NOT what incapacitates you as IB used to be tested on.

More info, can be found at the your able website ... it's run by people with disabilities, and is a lot like CAG with a wealth of experience in terms of benefit procedures, appeals and so on. In fact, it's invaluable for anyone on benefits, facing problems.

As to 'just asking for a sick note'. Erm, it's a long time since I had one TBH ... because I am long term ill. I would say that IB isn't paid for the first 26 six weeks, so you would likely get statutory sick pay if you are in work currently ... you would also get it at the reduced rate which is around the rate of current JSA or IS.

Not trying to frighten you here - there is enough of that going on with ill, vulnerable people as it is right now with the scaremongering in media, legislations so often like confetti being issued - but you may find it is not as easy now to just ask for a sick note. Under the circumstances, I wouldn't just ask I'd let them issue you with one. However, as I said above, it's a long time since I've had one ... but I am on IB.

The next hurdle ... if you were accepted onto IB, which is payable long term not in the short term BTW hence the number of weeks before you are fully elligible for it; least it was when I applied. Is being then under the scrutiny of the DWP's own, in house doctors who are know as Atos or Atos Origin. They are entirely independent from your own doctors, and do not answer to anyone and are not associated with the NHS either.

You would then receive an IB50 form ... which you must complete within a set number of days. This is just a long form full of tick boxes, what problems you have ... and is mostly physically based in terms of those problems ... depending upon what you tick you will be scored for each section of the form. All about scoring more than anything.

Unfortunately, because of the recent changes ... there are some sites online which gives the guidelines that the DWP doctor's follow but also the scoring system they use for each section of the form.

Once you have completed this form ... you would then be called for a medical by the DWP. Depending upon what you've heard ... or read ... these are thoroughly unpleasant things ... and you are given around 15 to minutes ... you are assessed by a complete stranger, who doesn't know you from the fence post, but will assess you regardless. You are then at the mercy of decision makers who make an entirely independent decision from the doctor you've seen ... And may overturn any evidence or decisions or notes made by the doctor at your medical at that stage. I would also point out that it's not uncommon for medical reports from hospital specialists, giving very details evidence which blatantly SHOUTS/SCREAMS to anyone else medically trained or with just a small amount of common sense even - this person is not for work!

Reason I mention all the above, because I've been through one of the medicals ... as have thousands of others.


But, give that site I mentioned a look ...

[forgottenone]

Just looked back at my post ... I may be wrong about the 26 weeks thing so please disregard if so. Only one further thing to add ... because I know it's been quoted in press time and time again. Only from the current 'adviser' to the DWP on such matters ... David Freud ... is whatever you've heard or may have heard elsewhere it is NOT your own doctor who assesses you for fitness to make a claim for IB. Just thought to mention that because if you are new to the system ... well, there is a lot of misinformation going on in media with all this.

[forgottenone]

Just re-read. I mean IB isn't a short term benefit eg you have to have a number of weeks pass before you are able to fully claim it. Even then you would be only elligble for the lower rate.

There is DLA ... don't know your circumstances, and whether you think this problem with your shoulder is going to be long term ... but you can claim DLA whilst in work as well as out of it. And is entirely or mostly based around mobility. Just something else to consider, really.

[lormc22]

thanks the doc gave me a sick note for 3 months and i phoned the IB office she said it will be no hassle and fillid in my form for me over the phone so i shal now wait and see what happens ?

[forgottenone]

Oh, forgot about that - they DO it over the phone now! Call centre. What form was this, then? Did it have a reference number ie IB50? Or was it just the initial application form? You probably won't know this, but you can request to complete a printed form ... and they cannot deny you that right. Rather than on the phone. Anyway, wait to see what they come up with.