Hi everyone, I have been asked at work if one of my patients will have any grace period for his sick note arriving at the DWP/JCP. This is coming up a lot and I am unsure of the answer. So - hopefully I make sense here. If Joe Bloggs has a fit note up till 29/05/2020 and receives a new one to continue on from that, how much grace has he got for that new note to get to DWP/JCP. If it takes a week by post for example, is this ok with them? Just he cant get a sicknote for future date so it would have to be done on the date it runs out. I would hate for him to have his benefits stopped if he didn't get it in within their accepted timescales. GP's can't forward date fit notes so we couldn't do that. Thank you in advance, I have looked everywhere but can't find anywhere if they do allow a grace period. I know that they will be as vague as possible so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
The DWP have suspended the requirement to provide Fit Notes but this may change as the lockdown is eased.
As a general rule, the DWP quote ten days from posting for mail to get to the correct department but claimants of legacy ESA can submit the Notes via an online portal.
Payment of ESA, while the Assessment Rate is being paid, is dependant on there being an active Fit Note on file, the DWP will usually make one further payment if a Note is not on file. They no longer contact claimants to warn them that their Notes are expiring.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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