Millions of people across the UK are being urged to take immediate action to protect their income over the festive period, as a simple oversight could see crucial state payments halted.
Why Your Benefits Could Be Stopped
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a stark warning that entering hospital for even a single night, without informing the relevant authorities, can lead to benefits being reduced or stopped entirely. This affects an estimated 24 million people who receive support such as the State Pension, Universal Credit, or disability allowances.
Benefits like Universal Credit provide a financial lifeline for those on low incomes or out of work, while disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance, help cover the extra costs associated with long-term health conditions. These funds are often essential for daily living expenses, transport like taxis, specialist equipment, and vehicle leases through schemes like Motability.
The Critical Rule You Must Follow
Official DWP guidance on GOV.UK is clear: claimants must contact the office that handles their benefit immediately if any of the following occurs:
- They are admitted to hospital for one night or longer.
- They enter a care home or rehabilitation facility for one night or longer.
- They will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment due to hospitalisation or a medical appointment.
The DWP explicitly cautions: "Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay." This rule applies even during the Christmas holidays, a time when hospital admissions can be unexpected.
What Information You Need to Provide
If you are hospitalised, you or someone acting on your behalf must be ready to supply specific details to the DWP. The required information includes your full name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. You should also have details of your partner if they are part of your claim.
Crucially, you must provide precise details about the hospital admission itself:
- The exact date you were admitted.
- The exact date of your discharge (if applicable).
- The name of the hospital and the ward (if known).
- Whether you were transferred between hospitals.
- Any other hospital admissions within the previous 28 days.
- Your destination upon discharge, such as your home or a care facility.
The DWP confirms that if you are unable to make contact yourself, a friend or family member can call on your behalf. They will need to give their own name and contact information in addition to your details.
It is vital to note that if you receive more than one benefit, you may need to report the change to multiple organisations. Full contact details for the relevant departments can be found on the official GOV.UK website.
Failing to report a hospital stay joins other lesser-known reasons for benefit suspensions, such as travelling abroad for more than four weeks. With millions relying on this financial support, understanding and acting on these rules is essential to avoid a costly and stressful interruption to vital income.
