esa doctor sick note

[treebee35]

Im on esa my sick note ran out a month ago but dint know as they still paid me now they have stopped till i get a sick note but cant get appointment with doctor till next week and is refusing to back date sick note what can i do also ive nothing to live off can i get a note from else where

[estellyn]

doctors used to be able to provide a backdated med cert for an ongoing condition, but when the new 'fit notes' were brought in, I believe the option to backdate may have been removed unless there was actually a consultation at some point around the time you need the certificate for - for instance if your med cet ran out 1 month ago, and you had an appt with the GP 6 weeks ago, then the GP can at the next appt issue a med cert dated for your last appt date if they feel it would have been reasonable to issue a med cert - but you would need to speak to the GP in the appt for this, don't just take the word of the receptionist, and if you have to, print off some guidance saying it's possible, as sometimes the GP doesn't know.

 

ETA: page 19 of this gives advice to GPs on backdating med certs : https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/349909/fitnote-gps-guidance-jan-14.pdf

[RaeUK]

Unfortunately, this highlights just how important the (un)fit note is for esa assessment phase. The DWP view it as the claimants responsibility to ensure an up to date note is sent in in plenty of time. It doesn't matter if they overlap. No note = no money. That's how the computer is programmed and can't be over ridden.

I ended up having to send notes in for over 3 years. I made sure that I used a diary / calendar to keep a track of the dates (you're not going to remember) and make an appointment to see my GP at least two weeks before it ran out - which might mean calling the surgery three or four weeks before the end date.

A horrible lesson to learn and I hope you get things sorted out, treebee.