Unable to meet work preparation obligations due to health condition, injury or disability
This exemption may apply to:
- clients (who have a deferral from their work obligations, but have work preparation obligations) and
- partners with work preparation obligations
A client may be unable to meet their work preparation obligations when their health condition, injury or disability restricts them. For example when a client is:
- in hospital or
- is unable to attend an interview with MSD due to their condition
MSD should consider the information on the client's Work Capacity Medical Certificate to see if the registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner, (or dentist or midwife where relevant) has advised of any restrictions to a client's capacity to plan.
This is a full exemption.
Evidence
To support their exemption, the client must provide a Work Capacity Medical Certificate. The certificate should be completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner (or dentist or midwife where relevant).
The information required on the medical certificate includes:
- a diagnosis (what the illness, disability or health condition is) and
- the impact of the condition on their ability to work or to plan for work and
- the likely duration of the impact and
- their capacity for work or planning for work and
- any other information needed
Duration
The period of an exemption is based on the reassessment date recorded on the medical certificate by a client's health practitioner.
This exemption should then be reviewed.
At the review MSD should consider the client's circumstances and whether it is appropriate to extend the exemption.
MSD can ask the client to provide evidence of the reason why the exemption should be extended.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Exemption from work-preparation obligations regulation 100 Social Security Regulations 2018
