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<p>Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC) require GP Fit
Notes to confirm that someone has a health condition or disability as part of their
claim. The functional Work Capability Assessment (WCA) report advises a DWP decision
maker whether the individual meets the limited capability for work (LCW) or limited
capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) conditions set down in legislation.</p><p>
</p><p>The key difference is that the fit note informs us that the claimant has a
health condition or disability and the WCA outcome informs us of the impact that a
health condition or disability has on the claimant’s capability for work.</p><p> </p><p>DWP
decision makers use the WCA report, along with any other available evidence including
the GP Fit Note, when determining entitlement to ESA and in determining if the claimant
has LCW or has LCWRA, or does not have LCW – in other words, is fit for work.</p><p>
</p><p>ESA and UC claimants who have LCW and LCWRA are, subject to certain exceptions,
required to attend work-focused interviews and participate in work-related activity,
the purpose of which is to improve their capability or readiness for work, with a
view to helping their prospects of moving into work at a point when they are able.
They cannot be required to search for or apply for work.</p><p> </p><p>Once a claimant
has been notified of a LCW or LCWRA determination they are no longer required to provide
GP Fit Notes unless they are providing evidence to support a change in their heath
condition or disability.</p>
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