Regulation 5 Self-certificate for first 7 days of a spell of incapacity for work or limited capability for workF1F10

F3The evidence of incapacity F4or limited capability for work required for the purposes of determining entitlement to a benefit, allowance or advantage referred to in regulation 2(1)–

• may consist of a self certificate instead of a certificate in the form of a statement in writing given by a F7healthcare professional in accordance with regulation 2(1).

For the purpose of this regulation-

• F8“self-certificate” means either—

  1. (i)

     a declaration made by the claimant in writing, on a form approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State; or

  2. (ii)

     where the claimant has made a claim for employment and support allowance in accordance with regulation 4G of the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987, an oral declaration by the claimant,

  that the claimant has been unfit for work from a date or for a period specified in the declaration and may include a statement that the claimant expects to continue to be unfit for work on days subsequent to the date on which it is made;.

• F9“spell of incapacity” has the meaning given to it by section 171B(3) of the Contributions and Benefits Act.