The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) staff and Citizens' Advice Bureau staff sometimes suggest that individuals submitting applications for PIP ask for a "supporting letter" from their GP. Often, due to the health conditions which make someone eligible to apply for PIP, these can be long and complicated reports which would take up a lot of the doctor's time. They are not covered under the terms of the NHS GP Contract, which means that there is no time or funding provided for the time needed to do these.

We are aware that charging the usual professional fees may be unaffordable for some of those applying for these benefits, and therefore in the interests of fairness it is practice policy not to provide supporting letters. However, the practice will gladly supply a print-out of medical diagnoses and medications which can be submitted, and of course under the data protection regulations all patients can request a copy of their entire medical record. If the DWP requires additional medical information they will ask for it, and they have specific forms for the GPs to complete for this purpose - these do fall under the NHS GP Contract and will always be completed.