ESA query recovering from an operation

WobblyKnee

Nov 24 I fully ruptured my patella tendon falling down stairs at a customer's house. I was a one man plumber trading as a limited company. After surgery I was meant to be back at work in six months but I was left with problems and patella alta.

In Aug 25 I found out I needed a second surgery which would leave my knee weak and I could not go back to being a plumber (I am in my 50s). I closed my limited company and made a claim for ESA from 01/09/25 (I have savings so this is the one year based on NIC) and had my second surgery a week later.

In early Feb 26 I was deemed by DWP to be completely fit for work. I started an appeal and have been receiving payment pending since (£95.55 a week) and I need to supply not fit for work notes from my GP. Since Nov 24 I've never managed to regain enough use to walk to my local shop or sit for an hour without the leg straight and supported.

I have only ever had one telephone call with a work coach at the start and they said they would leave me alone to recover.

I have been struggling to even move around my home and saw my surgeon again May 26. I need a third operation on the knee to remove a synthetic tape used to strengthen the repair (that has failed and is rubbing on a nerve) and are waiting on a MRI to see if the repair will hold without the tape. I think that my body has been reacting to the tape ever since the second operation and it explains why I have been struggling to gain function in the knee and have been experiencing additional pain and swelling.

I have informed DWP of my worsening condition and provided my latest hospital letter. Do I need to do anything else?

ESA is due to end at the start of Sept 26. I assume this date won't change because of this further operation and I won't be able to claim anything at all.

Thanks in advance if anyone can offer any words of wisdom.

huckster

What about Universal Credit?

Would need to include any spouse/partner and take into account their earnings and your joint savings.

If you claimed UC, any ESA you received would be deducted from UC as other benefit income.

Use a benefit calculator to check. E.g. Entitledto or Turn2us.

In regard to work capability assessments, they look at what you can do in regard to everyday activities. I have seen people in wheelchairs with both legs amputated that have been found capable of work. E.g. they could arguably complete office admin or customer service work.

TimeLord1

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

Are you appealing the decision of being awarded the WRAG Group and trying to be placed in the Support Group? Obviously you won't be able to work, so if you don't have Universal Credit or PIP, you can apply. You can apply now for PIP.

Check PIP Eligibility: Use a tool like Turn2Us or Entitled to.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/?utm_source=BAdviser&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=GovUK