Guidance

A short guide to the benefit system for general practitioners

A short guide to the benefit system for GPs and other healthcare practitioners.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
21 August 2013
Last updated
17 August 2021 — See all updates

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Documents

The benefit system: A short guide for GPs

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Details

This guide is aimed at general practitioners (GPs) but other doctors and healthcare professionals in both primary and secondary care may find it useful. The guide explains the main benefits and services provided by DWP.

Published 21 August 2013
Last updated 17 August 2021 + show all updates

  1. Corrected the guidance to explain you can no longer make a new claim for contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-related ESA, Income Support, contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-based JSA.

  2. Updated the short guide to the benefit system for general practitioners. Added a new section 'Money help and debt advice' and updated sections on: ESA, JSA, UC, UC for carers, help to return to or stay in work and contact details.

  3. Clarified when GPs should complete form DS1500 for patients claiming benefits under the special rules for terminal illness.

  4. HTML version of the benefits system: a short guide for GPs added to attachments for accessibility.

  5. Published updated version (now dated July 2019) with information about a revised ESA65B letter.

  6. Published revised version with updated benefit information.

  7. First published.

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