If your stay in hospital (or similar institution) is as an inpatient, this can affect your benefits. Some benefits can be reduced or suspended, while others can be kept in full.
It is essential that you inform the benefits office promptly if you are going into hospital and, likewise, when you leave hospital.
The length of time you are in hospital may affect your benefits:
Private Patients
Private patients who pay for the whole cost of accommodation and non-medical services in hospital are not deemed to be an inpatient. Therefore the normal rules of benefit entitlement apply, rather than the information described below.
The 28 Day Rule (Linking Rule)
Hospital stays that are 28 days or less apart are added together and counted as one stay when calculating how long you have spent in hospital.
The day you are admitted to hospital should not be counted in the 28 days. For Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, the day you leave hospital should not be counted either.
If you have two (or more) separate short stays which are 28 days or less apart, the same rules apply as above.
After a Hospital Stay
You should inform the appropriate benefits office as soon as possible about the date that you will be discharged from hospital to avoid losing any benefits.
You should get the benefits you were receiving before you went into hospital, provided your circumstances have not changed.
Hospital Fares and Travel Costs
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to help with the cost of travelling to and from hospital. Find out whether you qualify for help with travel costs.