Going into hospital if you get benefits

You must tell the office that pays your benefit as soon as possible if you:

  • go into hospital for one night or longer
  • go into a rehabilitation centre for one night or longer
  • will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment because you’re in hospital or have a medical appointment

You must also tell them if you go into a care home and get benefits.

A friend or relative can call for you.

Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay.

What you need to tell DWP

You need to give your:

  • full name
  • date of birth
  • National Insurance number
  • partner’s details (if they’re on your claim)

If you’re calling about a friend or relative, you need to give your name and contact details too.

You need to give details about your stay in hospital, including:

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

How to report

Who you tell depends on which benefits you get. You might need to report your change to more than one organisation if you get more than one benefit.

Universal Credit

Report a hospital stay of 24 hours or longer using your Universal Credit online account.

Pension-age benefits

Call the Pension Service helpline if you get one or more of:

  • State Pension
  • Pension Credit
  • Attendance Allowance

Call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you only get Attendance Allowance.

Disability benefits

Call the Disability Service Centre if you get:

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Low or no income benefits

Call Jobcentre Plus if you get:

  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Housing Benefit

Tell your local council about a hospital stay if you get Housing Benefit.

Child Benefit

Tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) if your child goes into:

  • residential accommodation (sometimes called ‘residential care’) for more than 8 weeks
  • hospital for more than 12 weeks

Other benefits

Call the helpline for each benefit to report a hospital stay if you get:

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