State pensioners are being warned that lengthy hospital stays could affect their eligibility for certain benefits due to a little-known 28-day rule enforced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Many retirees are unaware that specific regulations govern how pension-related benefits are paid during prolonged medical treatment.
What Is the 28-Day Rule?
The DWP's 28-day rule means that if you stay in an NHS hospital for 28 days or more, certain benefits may be reduced or stopped entirely. The state pension itself remains unaffected regardless of the length of your hospital stay, whether you receive the old basic or new state pension. However, other benefits linked to pension payments are at risk.
Benefits Affected
The benefits that could be reduced or suspended include:
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP)
- Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
According to Independent Age: "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 your benefits and you'll have to pay back any money you owe."
How to Report a Hospital Stay
If you are hospitalized, you should contact the relevant helpline for your benefit. For state pension, Pension Credit, or Attendance Allowance, call the Pension Service helpline. For PIP, DLA, or other disability benefits, use the specific numbers provided on your award letter. If you are discharged but return within 28 days, the days are added together, and if the total exceeds 28 days, benefits stop until you are home.
Housing Benefit and Motability
Housing Benefit can continue for up to a year if your property is not let or sublet. If you have a Motability agreement for a car, scooter, or wheelchair, contact Motability if you are in hospital for more than 28 days to discuss arrangements.
Impact on Pension Credit
Pension Credit provides income support for those over state pension age with low income. It includes Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. If your Attendance Allowance or other benefits are suspended, your Pension Credit amount may change. Age UK warns that for couples where one partner has not reached state pension age, they may not be able to reclaim Pension Credit if the award is halted.
Age UK also notes that transfers from hospital to care homes or community hospitals for free short-term intermediate care count toward the 28-day limit. The charity advises: "Contact the office that pays your benefits to let them know when you go into hospital and then again when you leave."
Failure to report a hospital stay could result in overpayments that must be repaid. The government emphasizes that pensioners must inform the benefits office immediately upon admission for one night or longer.
