DWP procedure when fit notes are sent in (Universal Credit)

The request was partially successful.

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

My question is about the precise process that happens at DWP when a Universal Credit claimant submits a self certification or fit note to DWP, and what to do when it appears to fail.
I have read the http://about.universalcredit.service.gov...
and associated sections; also Chapter G1 of the Advice to Decision Makers; and I have copies of forms UC 35 and UC 50.

We have received several reports of claimants not receiving their UC35 or UC50 forms and continuing to be required to fulfil full work related requirements despite illness.

Please could you provide DWP guidelines on the time within which DWP should send these forms to claimants (especially UC35); and on what a claimant should do if, despite sending repeated fit notes, they hear nothing.

I understand from ADM Chapter G1 that sending these forms on receipt of a fit note is the responsibility of "medical services" but could see no definition of "medical services"- I assume this is a section of th DWP. Please could you explain who "medical services" are and whether there is a separate address or contact number for them. Fit notes etc have been submitted to the general Mail Opening Unit at Wolverhampton. Is this the correct address?

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Glenys Harriman

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DWP Strategy Freedom of Information, Department for Work and Pensions

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-----Original Message-----
From: Glenys Harriman [mailto:[FOI #305529 email]]
Sent: 03 December 2015 09:45
To: DWP freedom-of-information-requests
Subject: Freedom of Information request - DWP procedure when fit notes are sent in (Universal Credit)

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

My question is about the precise process that happens at DWP when a
Universal Credit claimant submits a self certification or fit note
to DWP, and what to do when it appears to fail.
I have read the
http://about.universalcredit.service.gov...
and associated sections; also Chapter G1 of the Advice to Decision
Makers; and I have copies of forms UC 35 and UC 50.

We have received several reports of claimants not receiving their
UC35 or UC50 forms and continuing to be required to fulfil full
work related requirements despite illness.

Please could you provide DWP guidelines on the time within which
DWP should send these forms to claimants (especially UC35); and on
what a claimant should do if, despite sending repeated fit notes,
they hear nothing.

I understand from ADM Chapter G1 that sending these forms on
receipt of a fit note is the responsibility of "medical services"
but could see no definition of "medical services"- I assume this is
a section of th DWP. Please could you explain who "medical
services" are and whether there is a separate address or contact
number for them. Fit notes etc have been submitted to the general
Mail Opening Unit at Wolverhampton. Is this the correct address?

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Glenys Harriman

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DWP Strategy Freedom of Information, Department for Work and Pensions

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Please see the attached reply to your Freedom of Information request

Yours sincerely

DWP Strategy FoI team

-----Original Message-----
From: Glenys Harriman [mailto:[FOI #305529 email]]
Sent: 03 December 2015 09:45
To: DWP freedom-of-information-requests
Subject: Freedom of Information request - DWP procedure when fit notes are sent in (Universal Credit)

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

My question is about the precise process that happens at DWP when a
Universal Credit claimant submits a self certification or fit note
to DWP, and what to do when it appears to fail.
I have read the
http://about.universalcredit.service.gov...
and associated sections; also Chapter G1 of the Advice to Decision
Makers; and I have copies of forms UC 35 and UC 50.

We have received several reports of claimants not receiving their
UC35 or UC50 forms and continuing to be required to fulfil full
work related requirements despite illness.

Please could you provide DWP guidelines on the time within which
DWP should send these forms to claimants (especially UC35); and on
what a claimant should do if, despite sending repeated fit notes,
they hear nothing.

I understand from ADM Chapter G1 that sending these forms on
receipt of a fit note is the responsibility of "medical services"
but could see no definition of "medical services"- I assume this is
a section of th DWP. Please could you explain who "medical
services" are and whether there is a separate address or contact
number for them. Fit notes etc have been submitted to the general
Mail Opening Unit at Wolverhampton. Is this the correct address?

Thank you for your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

Glenys Harriman

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #305529 email]

Is [DWP request email] the wrong address
for Freedom of Information requests to Department for Work and
Pensions? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_re...

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/offi...

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.


-------------------------------------------------------------------

**********************************************************************

This document is strictly confidential and is intended only for use by the addressee.

If you are not the intended recipient any disclosure, copying, distribution

or other action taken in reliance of the information contained in this email is strictly prohibited.

Any views expressed by the sender of this message are not necessarily those of the Department

for Work and Pensions.

If you have received this transmission in error please tell us and then permanently delete

what you have received.

This email was scanned for viruses by the Department for Work and Pensions antivirus services and was found to be virus free.

Please note: Incoming and outgoing email messages are routinely monitored for compliance

with our policy on the use of electronic communications.

**********************************************************************

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