Medicals for UK benefits

[gloshette]

Hi I have just had a call from the benefits people and they say i need to go and have a medical from one of their drs. Does anyone know what this entails?

[jackyp]

go to moneysavingexpert.com then on to the chat forom scroll down to benifits loads of info on this site

[gumboil]

Well for a start, the examination will be nothing like any you've had before.

You need to remember that the doctor is there to verify to the Benefits Agency that you have all the symptoms/diseases etc that you have detailed on any sick forms or incapacity benefit/DLA documents. The doctor is not there to comment or advise you on anything he/she finds and you will find the doctor's attitude pretty "cold".

If you have completed any official forms, the doctor will go through the form with you from the first page and will ask for further information on how your health is affected by the conditions you have entered on the form and the questions will be very searching. The doctor will also give you a thorough medical examination to confirm that you have the conditions you claim to have. If you have said you can't walk far, climb stairs, turn on taps etc on a DLA form, the doctor will ask you to show him/her.

The doctor will also have had a confidential report from your GP regarding your illnesses. He/she has to link the report with the illnesses you have entered on any BA forms, so the doctor can tell immediately if you have lied on the BA forms. Your GP will also have supplied his/her views on how you health is affected and this goes a long way with the examining doctor.

(cont)

[gumboil]

Although you haven't said what benefits your claiming and what forms you've filled in, in the case of DLA for example, you might have said that you can't walk more than 50 metres before stopping to rest. Your GP will have seen your DLA form and will have given his opinion if this was true or not. Because of this, claiming you can't walk could then be a non-starter with the BA doctor.

Remember that sometimes, a patient can be pretty close to his/her GP. The BA people know this and need what is intended to be an impartial report on your health. The BA doctor has more or less the final word on this, although you can appeal against a decision made as a result of the report.

Don't argue with the BA doctor over anything and be civil throughout the examination and interview - it will go against you if you don't. The BA doctor is not allowed to reveal or even hint on his/her findings regarding your health so don't ask. You'll receive a letter from the BA a few weeks later stating whether they intend to continue paying your benefits. Appealing against a decision will probably lead to further medical examinations after you have put your case forward why you think the decision is wrong.

If the medical is carried out in a government building, I would imagine that it wouldn't go down too well to be seen racing down the stairs and out of the building after you've undergone your medical especially if you've claimed you can only walk with difficulty.CCTV is everywhere nowadays.

[gloshette]

Thanks Gumboil. I had an idea that the Dr wasnt going to be the friendliest person I will ever meet!

Cant remeber what I put on the form, it was so long ago.... Its for Incap Ben, and I have a blood disorder so symptoms change on almost a daily basis, which is why it makes holding down a job, interesting to say the least.... Oh well, shall see how it goes, as long as they have an idea as to what the condition entails then I should be fine.... hopefully......

PS, the links on the moneysavingexpert forum dont work.....URL not found !!! But thanks anyway....

[gumboil]

Best of luck gloshette.

I've checked out the site recommended by jackyp and it works ok for me.

All the same try:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdispl ay.html?f=23

which is a direct link. You will need to sift through the stuff that doesn't apply to you but its an excellent source of advice.

[halfadaily]

Hi Gloshette,

I had one about a year ago. This involved a 20 mile round trip to the centre in Reading. I was seen fairly promptly and the doctor asked me a few questions about my condition, and also performed a few rudimentary tests with me.

If the covering letter from your GP gives all the details you shouldn't be in there very long at all.

Don't forget to claim your travel expenses, so keep any bus tickets etc to show them.

Good luck

Richard