Advice Needed - ESA?

Patronus

Hello there,

I was on ESA from January - March-ish (2011) due to Anxiety. I then found a job, however, I was referred by my GP to Orthopaedics, due a to knee problem (I've had two operations on it). The orthopaedic nurse that did an assessment on me, told me I have flat feet, amongst other things. I was then sent to a physiotherapist and have been seeing her ever since, perhaps since April-ish. I had to quit my job because it wasn't suitable to me and was causing me to be in agony.

I went to see a foot and ankle specialist at the beginning of August who has put me down for an operation on my right foot, to remove the bunion I have there and also reshape part of the foot. He said I'll be on crutches for six-eight weeks and it will take up to six months to heal completely.

I was going to be restarting college in September but have had to push that back because the day after I was supposed to start, is my surgery date and I will end up missing two-three weeks and then further days with appointments and such.

My question is; I'm not going to able to look for work or be capable to do work for a couple of months at least. I'm not currently on any benefits, I'm 20 and live with my mum at home.

Is ESA the right thing to be looking at or is there something else that could help me?

Hope I got everything, thank you very much. :beer:

NASA_2

ESA is the right benefit for you if you cant work.

rogerblack

DLA would be appropriate, but only if your mobility needs will be significant for 6 months, so perhaps not in this case.

DLA is awarded to help anyone under pensionable age with care or mobility needs, in or out of work. As long as those needs have lasted 3 months, and are likely to last 6.