UC: 'Fit-Notes' and switching off work search & work preparation requirements pending a Work Capability Assessment

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Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

Does the DWP have any regulations or legislation it can rely upon to sanction
a Universal Credit (UC) claimant, (required to search for work, complete job applications and attend job interviews) who informs prospective employers (in job applications and at job interviews) that they currently hold a 'fit-note' from a GP saying they are not fit
for work and have been referred for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) by the DWP but no WCA date has been set.

This request for information concerns UC claimants with 'fit-notes' covering 14 days, 28 days and more than 28 days (29 plus days).

What training and learning have work coaches undertaken to assess whether a UC claimant is 'fit-for-work' and can have 'All work-related requirements' conditions imposed upon them when they have consecutive fit notes lasting more than 28 days even when the WCA later finds that 'No Work-Related Requirements ' conditions should be imposed?

Please disclose all your internal work coach guidance and procedures for switching off requirements for claimants providing 'fit-notes'

I understand a work coach can use their own 'discretion and judgement' concerning amending or switching off requirements in a UC claimants Claimant Commitment, when they provide 'fit-notes'. Please disclose the information you hold that the 'discretion and judgement' of a work coach has the same standing as those (nurses and doctors) who carry out a WCA?

Please provide your internal guidance on how a work coach should record and explain their use of 'discretion and jugdgement' when they decide not to switch off any UC claimants requirements pending a WCA?

Frank Zola

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no-reply@dwp.ecase.co.uk on behalf of DWP Strategy Freedom of Information, Department for Work and Pensions

12 Attachments

Dear Frank Zola,

I am writing in response to your request for information, received 5th
August.

Yours sincerely,

DWP Central FoI Team