Means-tested benefits that could stop if you do not…

Means-tested benefits that could stop if you do not report a hospital stay

There are more than 20 million people UK-wide that claim benefits, or State Pension, from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Benefits like Universal Credit can be an essential for those out of work or on a low income, reports the Daily Record. Disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance, can help people mitigate the extra costs of living with a long-term illness or health condition.

Regular payments like this can help pay for things like taxis, additional equipment, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and even a Motability vehicle. However, there are many reasons that the DWP can use to reduce, pause or even stop someone's benefit claims.

These include going overseas on holiday for more than four weeks without telling the DWP. Also, payments could be paused or stopped if you go into hospital.

Going into hospital for even just one night and failing to inform the right benefit department may result in your payments being reduced or stopped.

The DWP has provided information on the GOV.UK website on what claimants need to do if they are admitted to hospital and will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment.

However, the guidance also provided a warning which states: “Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay.”

Here is everything you need to know about going into hospital if you’re claiming benefits.

When do I tell the DWP about my hospital stay?

DWP guidance states that you must tell the office that pays your benefit as soon as possible if you:

go into hospital for one night or longer
go into a care home or rehabilitation centre for one night or longer
will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment because you’re in hospital or have a medical appointment

However if you are unable to contact the DWP directly - if you are too sick, for example - then a relative or friend can call them for you.

You will need to give your:

full name
date of birth
National Insurance number
partner’s details - if they are on your claim

And if you’re calling on behalf of a friend or relative, you need to give your name and contact details too.

What happens if I go into the hospital?

You need to give details about your stay in hospital, including:

the exact date you went into hospital
the exact date you left hospital - if you have left
the name of the hospital you were in
the name of the ward you were on - if you know it
if you moved between hospitals
any other hospital stays in the last 28 days
where you were discharged to, for example your home or a care home

How to report your hospital stay

DWP guidance states: “Who you tell depends on which benefits you get. You might need to report your change to more than one organisation if you get more than one benefit.”

You can report a hospital stay of 24 hours or longer using your Universal Credit online account or contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Pension-age benefit rules

Call the Pension Service helpline if you get one or more of:

State Pension
Pension Credit
Attendance Allowance - call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you only get Attendance Allowance

Disability benefits

Call the Disability Service Centre if you get:

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP

Low or no income benefits

Call Jobcentre Plus if you get:

Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Housing Benefit - you also need to tell your local council about a hospital stay if you claim Housing Benefit.

Child benefit

Tell the Child Benefit Office if your child goes into hospital or ‘residential care’ for more than 12 weeks.

Other benefits

Call the helpline for each benefit to report a hospital stay if you get: