Once you have all further papers you need, you should send them to your scheme administrator along with the Internal Dispute Resolution form DRP1. In exceptional circumstances it is possible to request a medical examination, but this is rarely granted. You cannot expect your scheme administrator (or their medical advisers) to seek medical reports for second opinions.
Your GP will need to complete the medical section of your application form. This claim can be made at the same time as your IHR application. Try to negotiate/agree that notice is not served until the initial banglabet-bd.com/bd/login pension decision is received.
The initial application form is entitled ‘Application for consideration of ill-health retirement benefits’ (AW33). When sending ill health application forms, please ensure that all reports are enclosed including any report from a member’s specialist(s). This form is integral in determining eligibility for different tiers of benefits, helping assess whether a member’s health condition severely limits their ability to perform their role. You can return to work in the NHS following early or ill-health retirement, however, if you are receiving an NHS pension you will need to bear in mind the income restrictions for future NHS employment.
Please contact us if your employer intends to terminate your contract. You may also want to consult your Total Reward/Annual Benefit Statement to check your pension value. We recommend that you obtain an estimate of your pension based on IHR from your pension provider or your employer.
If your application for ill health benefits is approved, you will then need to submit the retirement benefits claim form (AW8) to PCSE via the Contact Us form. Second stage appeals are handled by a scheme manager and, once again, additional medical evidence is considered by a different medical adviser to the one previously involved in earlier decisions. First stage appeals are handled by the disputes officer, and additional medical evidence is considered by a different medical officer to the one who made the initial decision. Provided you can provide medical evidence to support your claim, you can apply for Tier 2 benefits within three years of retirement. If you are happy with the decision, you must then complete the AW8 ‘Claim for pension benefits’ form to claim your pension benefits on the grounds of ill health.
As such, there may be the need to request an extension of time in order to offer the appeal the best chance of success. However, if you are in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you must complete form DRP1 within 1 month of the original decision. As the ‘burden of proof’ rests on the appellant it is your responsibility to gather all the evidence you consider (or are advised) is necessary to mount an appeal.
Getting the timings right in your application can feel difficult. Your pension will be paid into your bank account monthly on a regular date specified by the Paymaster (in England and Wales). An initial decision can be made in four weeks but may take longer. If any doubt is expressed, the application will be refused or deferred. Contact us if your employer intends to terminate your contract. Ideally, the possibility of an IHR application should be discussed in absence management meetings.
