- " Do a quick ‘score’ using a list of descriptors. If it all adds up to less than
10/ 15 points, think again! Have you underestimated any of the problems?
- " Consider whether something can be completed safely, reliably and repeatedly.
Consider activities in an ‘in work’ context.
- " Think of all the reasons you might be unable to do something - e.g. your
ability to bend may be limited by giddiness as well as a bad back.
- " Tick the HIGHEST SCORING box appropriate on each page, qualifying your
response if needs be. - e.g. while you might be able walk for 400 yards once,
you might not be able to do so repeatedly, regularly and without pain. Might the
50 yard box be more appropriate?
- " Use the big box to put any limitations into words and to describe pain,
distress or tiredness felt when trying to accomplish a task. If something could
not be done reliably or repeatedly, say so.
- " Use the box on page 16 of the form to address any mental health issues. Add
pages if needs be! Do this with a list of the mental health descriptors in front
of you, and try to make points relevant to them - e.g.. “Because of my anxiety
and depression, I often sit for a long time not doing anything much. Perhaps the
telly will be on but I won’t really be watching it because I can’t
concentrate...”. Seek or provide supporting evidence and enclose it with the
form if possible.
- " Remember to include any examples of jobs that have been lost or given up
because of health problems. In the context of the mental health ‘descriptors’,
caselaw says that if you have to give up unpaid work - e.g. - looking after your
children - because of your mental health, that counts too.
- " If appropriate, explain how therapeutic/ permitted work is manageable - e.g..
‘They know at the office that I’ve not been well so I don’t have to answer the
phone and they don’t ask me to do things that I feel will be too much for me.’
Next>>>
Sickness Route to
Benefits
Personal Capability Assessment
The Physical
Descriptors - 1
The Physical
Descriptors - 2
Mental Health
Descriptors
Completing the IB50
Form
Your Mental
Health - Example.
Medical Examinations
- 1
Medical Examinations
- 2
Found Fit for Work?
