Can someone please advise me if i can get any benefits whilst recovering from an op?

[Cookethenook]

I'm a childminder, so self employed, who is currently on mat leave, but i'm supposed to be having an op at some point next year when i've gone back to work.

Is there anything i can receive benefits wise for the 8 weeks i'll have to take off? DP earns 17k, which is not enough on it's own once rent, ct and bills have gone.

Thanks!

You should be able to claim ESA. Some others may be possible, but depends on other things, I'd suggest contacting CAB to go through it all with you.

You need to check very carefully about ESA - I think self-employed people may not be eligible. And 8 weeks is too short a period to make it to a medical, so you would only get the very low, awaiting-assessment rate.

You might be eligible for purely income-based benefits, eg tax credits, housing benefit & council tax benefit (or whatever those are called at the moment).

See if you can make anything of the DWP website. Failing that, it's Citizen's Advice Bureau. Oh, and the DWP and local authorities don't always seem to give accurate info, so CAB may be better anyway.

(Sorry, I'm sure there'll be someone with more helpful info.)

Thank you, yes, i was just having a look at esa, but i think 13 weeks is the minimum. I will check though.
I think i may have to go to CAB- ugh! Was hoping to avoid!

Thanks for your help.