UC and stress/anxiety and requirement to work

[HelpforFree]

If a GP writes about stress and anxiety will this be enough to have no work related requirements for UC ?

It didn't for my cousin who suffers terribly. As they said she can wfh

Did they mean work from home in her current job , that she had to negotiate that with her boss? Or to find a new job that’s working from home ? Is that even possible what do people do from home thats (self employed) I assume?

I can barely leave the house

I've never been able to sign off due to my anxiety, even though god only knows I've needed to at times.

@LindaEllen

I've never been able to sign off due to my anxiety, even though god only knows I've needed to at times.

It’s a worry isn’t it. I know I won’t be able to do any of the work teated activity even an appt an the job centre but I’m not sure how it will work

Do you mean the GP will give you a fit note? I think that works for a while and then you would need to complete a form and then an assessment and an additional letter from the GP would be recommended to go with that.

@earlydoors42

Do you mean the GP will give you a fit note? I think that works for a while and then you would need to complete a form and then an assessment and an additional letter from the GP would be recommended to go with that.

I’m not sure what it’s called I just wanted to apply for UC but be put in a group where I don’t have to attend appts or look for work

Unlikely these days but if you have a partner who works full time you will be put in the light touch group

There's the "work related activities group" where you are not fit for work now but may be soon-ish, so you need to attend the job centre at times. Then the "support group", no work no activities. You would need to complete an application form and have an assessment, and any supporting letters from your GP and other services (e.g. community mental health team) will help you.

I think at first you start off with sick notes from your GP. That's the extent of my knowledge so I would ask the CAB to help you or try a group on FB called "Universal Credit essentials"

Even with a sick note you have to have some basic appointments with your work coach but these can be on the phone and they are not likely to push you too much.
Only if awarded LCWRA ( limited capability for work and work related activity ) after medical assessment are you not expected to do any kind of work search. It can take a while to get assessed especially at the moment with covid backlog.

Do you have a diagnosis from your GP?

Are you a parent? How old are your children?

Does your partner live with you and work full time?

If you have children under 5, UC will not insist you work. If your partner lives with you and works full time, they won't hassle you to work. It's non-working households with school aged children (it no children) they they heavily 'support' back to work.