New DWP payment update for people on PIP or Universal Credit going into hospital over festive season
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that it is developing a new ‘digital channel’ which will allow people on disability benefits, other low income benefits and the State Pension to report a change ‘in one place’. However, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms, said that work is “not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months” and the new system will not apply to Universal Credit claimants.
This is possibly due to the current digital service - the online journal - already being used by Universal Credit claimants to communicate directly with work coaches and the DWP. The new details emerged after Conservative MP Neil O'Brien asked whether claimants on disability benefits, or low or no income benefits, can report a hospital stay via a phone call, or something similar to the ‘Tell Us Once’ system.
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In a written response, Sir Stephen explained: “For Disability Benefits, the usual route for the customer to notify us of a hospital admission is either via phone or in writing.”
He continued: “Universal Credit customers can report a hospital stay via a phone call, they can also report it digitally via a journal message on their Universal Credit account or via a third party or supporter if consent has been given.
“The Department is working on a digital channel for customers which will allow them to tell us about changes in one place. We do have plans to enable this going forward, but the work is not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months. Disability Benefits, other low-income benefits and later life services are in-scope for this work, but, at present, Universal Credit is not.”
Sir Stephen has also clarified why Personal Independent Payments (PIP) may stop when someone goes into hospital and how they will restart once they are discharged. It’s important to be aware that entitlement to PIP or any other disability benefit is not affected, it’s just a pause on payments.
The DWP Minister explained in a written response to Mr O'Brien that a hospital stay will not affect people on Universal Credit. Sir Stephen said: “Where an adult aged 18 or over is maintained free of charge while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases after 28 days.
“This is on the basis that the NHS is responsible for not only the person’s medical care but also the entirety of their disability-related extra costs and to pay PIP in addition would be a duplication of public funds intended for the same purpose. Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP recommences from the date of discharge.
“Entitlement and payment of the standard allowance of Universal Credit will not change if a customer goes into hospital for treatment and/ or care, regardless of the duration of the stay. If the customer has been found to have limited capacity for work or work-related activity, this element will continue to be paid alongside the Universal Credit standard allowance.”
Below is everything you need to know about going into hospital if you are claiming benefits.
DWP guidance states 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 care home or rehabilitation centre for one night or longer
will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment because you’re in hospital or have a medical appointment
However, if you are unable to contact the relevant department yourself, DWP says a friend or relative can call them for you.
What you need to tell DWP
You will need to give your:
full name
date of birth
National Insurance number
partner’s details - if they are on your claim
And if you’re calling on behalf of a friend or relative, you need to give your name and contact details too.
What happens if I go into hospital?
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 have left
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 your hospital stay
DWP guidance states: “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 or contact the Universal Credit helpline.
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 - you also need to tell your local council about a hospital stay if you claim Housing Benefit.
Child Benefit
Tell the Child Benefit Office if your child goes into hospital or ‘residential care’ for more than 12 weeks.
Other benefits
Call the helpline for each benefit to report a hospital stay if you get:
Bereavement Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Full details of the numbers to call can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
