Employment and Support Allowence Fit Note

Hi, today I made my claim for employment and support allowance over the phone and I need to get a fit note sent off to them. I was previously having trouble getting a fit note because I've been unable to see my GP for a while because he's been on sick leave - but today I've got one from another doctor that knows me.

Now what I want to know is - should I send the fit note in a letter directly to the place that deals with the claims (which the person on the phone recommended) or could I just hand it in at my local jobcentre since I've made my claim now they should have my information and the doctor said to me I can just hand it in at the job centre?

I'm also not sure I took down the full address of where I've got to send it to anyway. If someone could tell me the full address of where to send a fit note for a employment and support allowence claim I'd appreciate it.

Finally, would it be recommended to make a photocopy of the fitnote in case the DWP loses it or something?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Jake wrote: Hi, today I made my claim for employment and support allowance over the phone and I need to get a fit note sent off to them. I was previously having trouble getting a fit note because I've been unable to see my GP for a while because he's been on sick leave - but today I've got one from another doctor that knows me.

Now what I want to know is - should I send the fit note in a letter directly to the place that deals with the claims (which the person on the phone recommended) or could I just hand it in at my local jobcentre since I've made my claim now they should have my information and the doctor said to me I can just hand it in at the job centre?

I'm also not sure I took down the full address of where I've got to send it to anyway. If someone could tell me the full address of where to send a fit note for a employment and support allowence claim I'd appreciate it.

Finally, would it be recommended to make a photocopy of the fitnote in case the DWP loses it or something?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Hi J,

Welcome to Benefits and Work

You could send it to the address that you have been given, or the address on the most recent ESA letter that you have, or you could phone up and check for the correct address. :

THE ESA PHONE NUMBER DWP : 0345 608 8545 Press Option 3 for ESA. (Open 8AM-6PM. Mon-Fri.)

If you were to take it to JC Plus to scan onto their systems, you would have to make an appointment beforehand.

Under any scenario, keep copies of your fit note and send the original :

Sending Documents to the DWP.

bro58

Should I include anything else in the letter or would just sending the fit note be satisfactory?

And with the job centre I meant could I hand it to one of staff and have them send it off as a alternative option?

And also would it be worth making a claim for PIP for anxiety and depression? I've read that PIP is hard to get a successful claim through, very long to wait.. and harder for health problems like depression.

But after not being able to work anything out with ESA and now being forced to claim JSA I'm reluctant to even try again with the hassle and stress application process.

Hi J,

I have merged today's post with your previous topic for continuity.

From your comments today, should we take it that your ESA claim was unsuccessful and you were found "fit for work" ?

If so, did you challenge the decision ? : ESA Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals.

Mandatory Reconsiderations Explained

Disability Rights UK Factsheet - Appeals and Mandatory Reconsiderations.

With regards to PIP.

It is a totally separate benefit to ESA with different qualifying criteria.

You can be awarded PIP even in full time employment, whereas ESA is an "out of work" benefit.

There is therefore nothing to stop you putting in a PIP Claim :

You could first take our : PIP Self Test to give you a better idea of how you may qualify.

Our : PIP Claims Guide. (2nd Link on page) takes you though the whole PIP Claims process.

bro58