I recently applied for ESA for my Mum. Mum’s not worked since I was born 28yrs ago. I sent a copy of her P45 to prove when Mum last worked and a copy of the front sheet from Mum’s PIP award as well as proof of Mums bank account. At the weekend Mum got a Work Capability Form and I filed it in with discussion with Mum, and sent it back today. This afternoon mum got a letter from ESA saying ’ The medical certificate you sent for Aug 22nd-28th is about to run out. You need to get another medical certificate from your GP, otherwise ESA will be stopped. The date of the letter is 28th September - a whole month after this alleged medical certificate runs out. I didn’t send any sick note with the financial info form because Mum’s not worked since 1988 and she has quite advanced MS. Have I missed something? I’m worried the GP will laugh us out of the surgery for asking for a sick note 28yrs after Mum last worked! It’s hard getting an appointment in the first place - you have to phone an automated thing, typingbin your dasdaste of birth and your telephone number, then the next day a GP returns your call and asks more info to see how soon you need an appointment or even if you need an appointment at all! Any advice?
Froglet. Sorry no one has responded yet. ESA is a working age benefit so I am assuming your Mum hasn’t reached retirement age yet. Even though she hasn’t worked for years, the DWP still need proof she is unable to work while she is in the assessment phase, hence the request for a fit note. No one at your GP’s should comment, and you may not even need an appointment, they should see from your Mum’s records that she is unable to work.
The MS Society produce guides to claiming benefits, just do a search. Alternatively you could join Benefitsandwork.co.uk who provide excellent advice on how to get through the benefits maze.
good luck