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Benefit claimants could have payments stopped in hospital

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has strict rules in place for benefit claimants who are admitted to hospital or a rehabilitation centre

Woman in hospital bed
Hospital patients could lose their benefits(Image: Getty Images)

PIP, Universal Credit, and other benefit claimants could risk losing their claim if they’re hospitalised. This is due to strict rules from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The rules say benefit recipients must report significant changes that could impact their claim, even if it’s short-term. While some things like a name change or switching doctors don’t need to be reported, a hospital stay does.

DWP guidelines say you should inform the office that handles your benefits as soon as possible if you’ve spent a night or more in hospital or a rehab centre, or if you’ll miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment due to a hospital stay or medical appointment. If you fail to report this, your claim could be reduced or completely stopped.

Reporting a hospital stay to DWP

Person in hospital bed
Essential details need to be reported(Image: Getty Images)

When discussing a hospital stay with the DWP, you’ll need to provide some personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and your partner’s details if they’re included in your claim.

You’ll also need to provide the following details of your hospital stay:

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

How to make a report for your benefit

Man in hospital bed
You will need to make a report to the relevant office(Image: Getty Images)

There are different ways to report your hospital stay depending on which benefit you claim. You may also need to make more than one report if you receive more than one benefit from different departments.

Below is a breakdown of how to report a change for all relevant benefits:

  • Attendance Allowance – call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469
  • Child Benefit – contact HMRC if the child is in hospital for more than 12 weeks or residential care for more than eight weeks
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) – call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310
  • Housing Benefit – contact your local council
  • Income Support – call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310
  • Pension Credit – call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433
  • State Pension – call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469
  • Universal Credit – make a report via your Universal Credit online account

If you’re unable to reach the office responsible for your benefit, a friend or relative can call on your behalf, provided they have the necessary details at hand.

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