The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has strict rules relating to hospital stays, which can result in the suspension of certain benefits for state pensioners after 28 days in hospital. This article outlines the four benefits affected and provides guidance on what to do.
Benefits Affected by the 28-Day Hospital Rule
State pensioners receiving the following benefits may have their payments stopped under the DWP's 28-day hospital rule:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) care component
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) daily living component
- Severe disability extra amount included in Pension Credit
The DWP guidance for Pension Credit states: 'If someone is getting the severe disability extra amount as part of their Pension Credit, this will normally stop if they spend more than 28 days in hospital. This is the same as when their Attendance Allowance, DLA, or PIP stops.'
Carer's Allowance and Pension Credit Housing Costs
The carer extra amount may also stop after eight weeks if your Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment stops. However, your Pension Credit will continue while you are in hospital. After 52 weeks in hospital, if you have no dependants living in your home, you can no longer get Pension Credit housing costs.
Reporting a Hospital Stay
Independent Age advises that you must tell the relevant benefit office when you go into an NHS hospital and when you come out. If you do not report a hospital stay of one night or longer, you may be overpaid and will have to repay the money. Your State Pension is not affected by hospital stays.
Key Dates and Rules
The day you are admitted is treated as a day out of hospital, and the day you are discharged is treated as a day in hospital. Disability Rights UK explains: 'The additional amount for severe disability will stop after four weeks if you are in hospital and you lose your attendance allowance, pension age disability payment, disability living allowance (DLA) or 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 extra amount, they will continue to receive it. For couples, after 52 weeks in hospital, you and your partner are treated as separate claimants.
