Doctors information to DWP

I am worried about what information my doctor will give the DWP, if any. I am sure one time I saw that my doctor hadn't provided any information to them. Do they have to provide the information?

I am thinking of paying the doctor to write a statement about how my illness affects my day to day living. I realise I will have to pay for this, but I am desparate. I have ME, and just the ESA50 turning up on my doorstep has increased my pain levels. I have put off going onto ESA as long as I possibly can. Nowadays, I can't even sit on my office chair and write for any length of time.

What I am thinking of doing is writing a comprehensive list of my health issues and how they affect me, doing a signed affidavit to that effect, giving it to my doctors surgery, asking them to write a letter along the same lines, then sending both the signed affidavit and the doctors letter along with my ESA50 to DWP.

I know that I am perhaps being a bit 'belt and braces' as my mum would say, but ultimately I'm scared of them not believing me, when I'm being as honest as I can be.

IAny advice gratefully received.

Ruth

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The DWP do not have to request information from your GP and they do not often do so. In cases where this has happened, the GP does not always reply. So it is far safer for the claimant to provide their own evidence if possible, some GP's will not provide letters for DWP even if the claimant pays for it! You should be careful not to put words into your GP's mouth, DWP can - and sometimes do - ask to see any written communication you have submitted to your GP in relation to this claim. What we normally suggest is printing out a list of ESA descriptors, without the points, and inviting them to comment about which relate to you.You will find the descriptors in our ESA guide.

ESA claims and appeals

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Hello,

I just wanted to let you know what happened at the doctors today, it may help someone at a later date.

I went to my doctors needing a sick note and to show him the descriptors. He told me that he couldn't comment on them, as he didn't have the time to go through them. I had offered to pay, but no dice. However, he did write a few lines outlining my health issues and how they affect me day to day, with emphasis on my lack of mobility, and being unable to sit for "long periods". He didn't charge me for it.

Of course, only time will tell if it's enough. In retrospect, I wonder if I should have limited the descriptors to only ones I knew would definitely be relevant, therefore making the questions seem less work. I'm not sure.

More news as it arrives!

Ruth