The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that state pensioners claiming three key benefits must notify the office immediately if they are admitted to hospital for one night or longer. Failure to do so could result in payments being stopped or reduced, and in some cases, pensioners could face penalties or court action.
Which benefits are affected?
The rule applies to anyone receiving State Pension, Pension Credit, or Attendance Allowance. Under DWP regulations, you must contact the office that pays your benefit as soon as possible if you go into hospital for one night or more. This also applies if you enter a rehabilitation centre for a similar period or if you will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment due to a hospital stay or medical appointment.
Additionally, you must report if you move into a care home while claiming benefits. A friend or relative can call on your behalf, but the responsibility to inform the DWP remains with you.
What happens if you don't report?
If you fail to report a hospital stay, your claim could be stopped or reduced. The DWP warns that providing incorrect information or failing to report changes in circumstances could lead to court proceedings or financial penalties. It is essential to provide accurate details to avoid these consequences.
When reporting, you will need to give your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and partner's details if they are included on your claim. If you are calling on behalf of a friend or relative, you must also provide your own name and contact details.
Details required for reporting
The DWP requires specific information about your hospital stay, including the exact admission date and discharge date (if you have left), the name of the hospital, and the ward you were on if known. You should also mention if you moved between hospitals, any other hospital stays in the last 28 days, and where you were discharged to, such as your home or a care home.
Both the day of admission and the day of discharge count as days out of hospital. This is crucial for calculating benefit entitlements, particularly for Attendance Allowance.
Attendance Allowance and other benefit impacts
Attendance Allowance stops after a total of four weeks in hospital, whether in a single stay or multiple stays with gaps of no more than four weeks. This rule also affects related benefit additions. According to Disability Rights, the additional amount for severe disability will stop after four weeks if you are in hospital and lose your Attendance Allowance, pension age disability payment, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Scottish adult DLA care component, Personal Independence Payment, or adult disability payment daily living component.
If you have a partner who is not in hospital and also qualifies for the severe disability addition, they will continue to receive it. The additional amount for carers will stop eight weeks after your carer's allowance or carer support payment stops.
Long-term hospital stays and pension credit
For those in hospital for a continuous period of 52 weeks, pension credit housing costs can no longer be claimed if you have no dependants living in your home. If you do have dependants or other people living with you, their benefit rights depend on their own circumstances. In the case of couples, if one partner has been in hospital for 52 weeks, the couple is treated as separate claimants for benefit purposes.
To report a hospital stay, pensioners should call the Pension Service helpline. It is vital to act promptly to avoid disruption to your benefits and potential legal issues.
