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It's important to tell the doctor if your condition fluctuates and whether this is a good or bad day for you.

Before your medical examination, it's a good idea to think about how your illness or disability affects your everyday life. You might like to think about:

What you need to have with you

The doctor will ask to see some identification before the examination starts, to make sure you're the person they've been asked to visit.

Your passport, if you have one, is adequate identification on its own. Or you'll be asked to provide three documents which can include your birth certificate, a full driving licence, your life assurance policy and bank statements.

Your medical examination may include a sight or hearing test, if this is relevant to your disability. The doctor may want to observe you using any aids you would normally use.

What happens at the medical examination

Length

As a rough guide, you should allow about an hour for your examination. Sometimes medical examinations can be completed in much less time, especially if the doctor is looking at only one specific problem.

The interview

The physical examination

The doctor may decide a physical examination would be helpful. They should always explain what is involved first and check that you're happy for the examination to go ahead. Its important to tell the doctor if you feel any discomfort. They will not ask you carry out any action that causes you discomfort.

The doctor's report

The doctor writes a report of their findings from the examination and returns it to the Department for Work and Pensions. This report is usually written after the examination and you will not normally see it before it is submitted to the decision-maker.

You can request a copy of the doctor's report from the Department for Work and Pensions. They will send it to you by post.

More useful links

• Financial support contacts

• Attendance Allowance