1. Benefits and Allowances 2011

2. Types of allowance Income related – includes, job seekers, income support, child benefit, tax & housing allowances Income related – includes, job seekers, income support, child benefit, tax & housing allowances Disability related – includes SSP, ESA, DLA, AA, carer’s allowance and more Disability related – includes SSP, ESA, DLA, AA, carer’s allowance and more Other – SMP, SPP, MA Other – SMP, SPP, MA

3. Social security act 1975 General medical services requirement (1992) to provide certification General medical services requirement (1992) to provide certification Certificate is evidence of medical advice regarding capacity for work Certificate is evidence of medical advice regarding capacity for work Allows individual to make a claim for a state benefit Allows individual to make a claim for a state benefit

4. Most Common Certificate types Type For What Who issues Notes SC1 Up to 7 days incapacity DWP For ESA SC2 Up to 7 days incapacity Employer For SSP Fmed3 > 7 days until IWCA carried out GP For ESA Mat B1 39 weeks, starting 11/52 pre-EDD GP/Midwife For SMP, SPP, MA DS1500 Life expectancy < 6 months GP DLA/AA @ higher rate

5. Fit note (Med 3) rules Keep secure Keep secure Only issue one, mark others DUPLICATE Only issue one, mark others DUPLICATE Use ink Use ink Should only be completed by a doctor Should only be completed by a doctor Required after 7 days of incapacity Required after 7 days of incapacity Must assess pt on day or day before issue Must assess pt on day or day before issue Can be issued on strength of another’s report. Can be issued on strength of another’s report. Can be issued following telephone consultation. Can be issued following telephone consultation. Opinion based on usual occupation Opinion based on usual occupation

6. Advantages to getting patient back to work Improved prognosis Improved prognosis Improved job security Improved job security Encourages positive attitudes at work Encourages positive attitudes at work May be harder for doctor in short term May be harder for doctor in short term

7. SSP and ESA Employed people earning >£102 per week entitled to SSP from 8 th day Employed people earning >£102 per week entitled to SSP from 8 th day Get £81.60 per week from Employer up to 28 weeks Get £81.60 per week from Employer up to 28 weeks ESA is paid if not eligible ESA is paid if not eligible ESA paid until Independent Work Capability Assessment carried out by DWP ESA paid until Independent Work Capability Assessment carried out by DWP

8. Maternity Mat B Mat B Verifies pregnancy and confirms EDD Verifies pregnancy and confirms EDD Allows claiming SMP from employer Allows claiming SMP from employer Or MA from DWP if unemployed and eligible Or MA from DWP if unemployed and eligible SSP SSP

9. DS1500 Terminal illness Terminal illness If death reasonably expected in the nxt 6months If death reasonably expected in the nxt 6months Automatically qualifies them for highest rate DLA/AA Automatically qualifies them for highest rate DLA/AA Payment expedited Payment expedited

10. Disability Living Allowance, Attendance & Carers Allowance DLA/AA paid in cases of Physical/Mental disability or both DLA/AA paid in cases of Physical/Mental disability or both Needs to be severe enough to need help with self care/walking or both Needs to be severe enough to need help with self care/walking or both 65 = AA 65 = AA Carers Allowance paid to individual >16 yrs old, caring for someone >35 hrs/wk who is in receipt of DLA/AA Carers Allowance paid to individual >16 yrs old, caring for someone >35 hrs/wk who is in receipt of DLA/AA Higher rate paid in cases of terminally ill Higher rate paid in cases of terminally ill