To end current ESA claim or not??

Good evening everyone

i have been a member of the B&W group for some time now and used the information to put in a successful ESA claim, being placed in WRAG.

I have now exhausted the 365 day limit for payments, but am still receiving NI credits.
I have found out today that the first Knee Replacement I had done in March 2015 (the reason for my first ESA claim, along with Osteoarthritis in both knees) has become loose, and I am facing a further, more complex surgery, to remove it, and re replace it. This is obviously going to take a long time, Im guessing November/December time for the surgery, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation. Day to day I am struggling with severe pain, and am on Morphine 27/7 to try and control it.

My question regarding ESA - I have heard from somewhere that I could close down the existing ESA claim, and then after 8 or 12 weeks (cant remember which) I could re-apply and receive a further 365 days payment eligibility, obviously dependent on passing the ESA tests! I realise that I would lose the NI contributions in that interim period, but that would be a worthy sacrifice in my eyes.
I just wanted to make sure that I understood the basics correctly before I make the decision to start moving forward with things.
My husband works full time and we would not get income-based ESA. My Consultant told me today that I should definitely not be seeking work at present, and she says we have no real idea how long its going to take to to get me in a position to do so - she is happy to provide 3-month-long Fit Notes for as long as is required.
Any suggestions?

Hi Gordon

Thank you SO MUCH for your response!

I shouldnt have a problem re contributions - I was employed full-time up to April 2015, and had been with the same employer for 14 years with no gaps in my employment. Then I was made redundant within weeks of my first surgery....

AND - my ESA payments stopped on April 25th this year, so I should be able to make my new claim straight away! I saw one of the Orthopedic team today and she gave me a Fit Note for 3 months, along with the offer of a letter for DWP.

I didnt meet the SG descriptors the first time around, and whilst my mobility has deteriorated recently, Ive learnt not to build my hopes u where DWP are concerned....
Thanks again Gordon, I'll be going to bed in a much better frame of mind than I was earlier on.
Terri

Thanks Gordon - Do you know how is that decision made by DWP? Is it an arbitrary choice they make, kind of the luck of the draw or is it done chronologically, according to some kind of guidelines? Just asking as I made my claim over the phone today but wont hear anything until 12th August and I feel like Im going crazy! Probably due to the news I received about my knee yesterday, but my heads in a spin, and feel Ive got nowhere to turn to.

Claim #1 - made on 27/4/2015, so Im assuming they should have used 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 for this claim. I was made redundant on 6/4/2015 and have not worked since.

Claim #2 - made on 1/8/2016, and Im assuming that it would be the contributions from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 used for this claim.

Sorry if this is above and beyond what you would normally help with - at worst I suppose Ive got a couple of weeks of uncertainty, and then see what to do next if is bad news.

Thanks again

Terri