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Has anybody else been asked to return to the UK to claim invalidity benefits?

Question

Prior to coming to Belgium I lived, worked and paid taxes in the UK for about 8 years and I've been residing, working and paying taxes in Belgium for more than 20 years. Due to bad health I'm no longer able to work and I'm claiming invalidity benefits. I'm not able to travel. Recently I got a letter from my mutelle (Bond Moyson) informing me that I may have to return to the UK to have a medical examination. Has this happened to anybody else? If yes, does anybody know what the process and procedure is, how long it takes and who pays all the costs? Do I need to get another medical letter from another Belgian medical doctor to say I cannot travel? It would be very costly and make my medical condition even worse, so can't the doctors here just electronically send all my Belgian medical documents to the UK for a medical doctor to examine?

J

That's ridiculous. After 20 years, you must be 100% in the Belgian healthcare system. The UK will not cover you for non-emergency treatment, so you can't go back there for a "scheduled" examination - that's not covered by your EHIC card.

Your mutuelle is wrong.

Oct 28, 2018 00:53
kasseistamper

My late wife was in the same situation as you.
There was absolutely no question of her going back to UK. She was paid invalidity benefit here from our Belgian mutuelle and there was no involvement of the UK NHS.
In any case, what could a UK doctor confirm that could not be confirmed by a Belgian doctor?
Your mutuelle must be wrong. Take advice from your family doctor specialist is dealing with you.

Oct 28, 2018 08:25
kasseistamper

Thinking a bit further.
You must speak to the person who made the decision that you can no longer work and are eligible for invalidity benefit.
From memory, this decision cannot be made by a GP; it must be a specialist.
My wife's specialist told us that the mutuelle would contact HIM if there was any question about her entitlement. There never was a problem and the benefit was paid until her death.

Oct 28, 2018 11:41