Can’t get a WCA because aren’t “sick”

My client is 20 and autistic and has recently moved in to a flat to promote independence with which she struggles. She also works 6 hours a week. Her appointee has applied for UC and a claim for housing allowance is being processed, but UC will not issue a UC50 without a fit note. But client can’t get a fit note as she isn’t off work sick. She gets ehanced PIP daily living and standard rate mobility, and would not be capable of sustaining a claimant commitment if not LCW as a minimum. Is there a way round this?

Hi, your client does not have to be off work sick to get a fitnote from her GP. A Med 3 can advise that work is possible with certain limitations - eg restriction on hours or duties etc, it is not a binary is she able to work or not.  A sample Med 3 is here https://www.dentonmedical.co.uk/media/content/files/Fit%20Note%20Sample.pdf 

Also, there has been some discussion on here previously of whether a fitnote is actually legally necessary to trigger a WCA or just part of the way the UC computer system operates, I can’t find it on a brief search but you may have better luck or someone else may be able to link it for you.

There’s some discussion on it here with relevant regs - https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/16736/#79601