I think what will happen is everyone will just try and get on to I.B.
However:
The DSS staff who talk to their job seekers are not allowed to tell them to
go to their GP for further evidence. If they did, and the GP charged a fee
( as he/she would be entitled to do ) the punter could go back to the SS
office and complain that they cost them X pounds. It is however the
responsibility of the punter to prove that they have a "medical hardship"
which prevents them from keeping their " job seekers contract" with DSS.
I think GPs should make it clear that they will charge for this evidence
right from the start, because I think there is the potential that they will
be flooded with requests.
Another point is that the vast majority of Hardship claims will not be
discussed with a medic and even if the case is discussed it cannot be
discussed with the medical advisor in anything but general terms. The
medical advisor will not be allowed to see medical evidence produced by the
punter - only the Ajudicating Officer will see that as he/she makes the
decision
David Mills
[log in to unmask]

----------
> From: Dr David J Plews <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Sick notes
> Date: 03 October 1996 21:46
>
> Prepare for an increasing number of requests for sick notes in the next
few
> weeks/months.
>
> On 7/10/96 Unemployment Benefit and Income Support disappear and are
> replaced by the new Jobseekers Allowance. I suspect a lot of people will
> "drop off the bottom2 of the "safety net" and their only recourse will be
to
> come and "beg" for a sick note from
> us :-(
>
>
> --------------------------
> Dr David J Plews
> email: [log in to unmask]
>


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%