Claiming benefits if you’re going into a care home
Make a new claim for benefits
You can only claim certain benefits if you’re in a care home. What you can get and how long these benefits last depend on how your stay is funded.
If you pay for the care home yourself
You may be eligible to start claiming:
- the daily living and mobility parts of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- the care and mobility parts of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- the care and mobility parts of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
- Attendance Allowance
- an extra amount for severe disability paid with Pension Credit
You cannot make a new claim for DLA for adults.
If you do not pay for the care home yourself
To find out if you’re eligible, you must apply for the benefit and include how your stay is funded in the application form.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will work out what you can get.
You can find out how your stay is funded from the letter you received from your local council when they did your financial assessment. Contact your local council if you do not know how your stay is funded.
Make a new claim as soon as possible - you can only claim some benefits within 28 days of being admitted to a care home.