Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Linda Howard

DWP clarifies payment and benefit rules for people on PIP due to go into hospital this year

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified what happens to scheduled payments and entitlement to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) following a hospital stay which lasts longer than 28 days.

The information was shared by Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP, in response to a query from Labour MP Beth Winter who asked DWP if the rules may put people off seeking medical help if it will affect their PIP award. However, Mr Pursglove made it quite clear that there is “no evidence that the policy may affect an individual’s decisions to seek medical care”.

In the written response earlier this week, the DWP minister explained that when someone goes into hospital and is receiving daily care from the NHS it is only their payments which stop, not their entitlement to PIP. Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP restarts from the date of discharge.

Mr Pursglove said: “Where an adult aged 18 or over is maintained free of charge, while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases after 28 days.

“This is on the basis that the NHS is responsible for not only the person’s medical care, but also the entirety of their disability-related extra costs and, to pay PIP in addition, would be a duplication of public funds intended for the same purpose. “

He added: “Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP recommences from the date of discharge.”

And directly addressing Ms Winter’s query he said: “We have no evidence that the policy may affect an individual’s decisions to seek medical care.”

To keep up to date with the latest PIP news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.