Hospital admission

How benefits are affected on admission to hospital

If a customer (or a child or adult dependant of his) is admitted to an NHS hospital or a hospice, his entitlement to Social Security benefits may be affected and his admission should be notified to the Department as soon as possible, as should his discharge from such a hospital.

If the customer is admitted as a private patient, then his benefit is not affected.

If a customer lives in a residential or nursing home, their benefit changes as soon as they are admitted to hospital.

Customers receiving free in patient treatment in hospital will, in general, not be subject to a reduction in their benefits after 52 weeks. However, there are exceptions and these are set out below. Also, certain premiums payable with Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will cease to be paid after either 4 or 52 weeks in hospital.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is paid for the first 4 weeks in hospital. Payment is then withdrawn.

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance may cease immediately on going into hospital, though it can continue for up to 12 weeks depending on the persons, personal circumstances and those of the person being cared for.

Disability Living Allowance

Payment of Disability Living Allowance is also withdrawn after 4 weeks spent in hospital. For children under 16 it normally stays in payment for 12 weeks.

Industrial Injuries Constant Attendance Allowance

Benefit stops after 4 weeks in hospital.