Forum Home → Discussion → Disability benefits → Thread
electronic submission of DS1500 forms
The DWP Medical (factual) reports: A guide to completion says that section 2.7.5 says that
The digital DS1500 service allows you to access and complete the form online. This means the form arrives instantly, which reduces waiting time for your patient. This service is available from the NHS Portal on your desktop. You will need a NHS smartcard to access the service, once you have accessed the NHS Portal, click on ‘Launch Digital DS1500 Service’ and complete the DS1500 submission online.
I’ve not been able to find this. Has anyone used it?
I was aware of it’s existence because I’d been provided with a print out of one by a GP (which was submitted and accepted in hard copy). But known no more.
A point in relation to use of these electronic forms is that it is really helpful if the person completing the form makes a copy available to the claimant/patient. DS1500 may be needed to support Blue Badge applications and grant applications, not just for DWP benefits.
In terms of saving time for the claimant although the DS1500 may get to the DWP instantly where a new benefit claim is needed this still has to be made as the DS1500 is not a claim document.
Thank you for that link Mike.
It looks as if that system has taken the other option which is to have a electronic proforma to email to to the DWP. The DWP document says that this is only accepted for PIP claims although I have heard that it has been working for AA claims too. We are exploring this as a possibility but probably most of our claims are for AA so I want to be sure it works for both.
The DWP document appears to say that the portal option applies for all DS1500s so may be a better option as long as it is possible to keep a copy for other claims but so far I have not found it.