Fit Notes requirement suspension and WCA

How do you think the temporary suspension of Fit Notes for UC (as described here https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/welfare-rights/news/item/dwp-suspends-requirement-to-submit-medical-evidence-after-seven-days-of-illness-for-universal-credit-and-esa) will affect clients being referred for WCA?

As we know, reporting a Fit Note starts the clock on WCA “journey”. One months after submission of a first Fit Note, clients are sent (or supposed to be sent) UC50 questionnaire.

So if no Fit Notes until 27th of January 2022- will this mean no referrals to WCA until 27th Feb?

Surely it’s reporting a health condition that starts the WCA referral process. Normally after the 7 day self certification the health issues need to be confirmed by details of a Fit Note. That is currently suspended but I would expect a claimant to still be referred at Day 1 or Day 29 as applicable following notification (except on all the occasions when DWP appear to simply forget to do it).

Thank you! Somehow I imagined it is the Fit Note that triggers the WCA referral, but after your post I re-read the guidance and I can see that Fit Note is required at day 8, after first 7 days of self-cert.