Hospital and benefits - Claiming benefits when you go into hospital

If you are not getting any benefits when you go into hospital, for example because you were working before you became ill, you might be able to get benefits when you are in hospital.

You should speak to a trained welfare benefits adviser to see what support you could be entitled to. 

If you are not well enough to return to work when you leave hospital, you can carry on getting benefit for as long as you meet the conditions for that benefit.

Statutory Sick Pay 

If you were working when you became ill and went into hospital, you might be getting Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). SSP will be paid for the first 28 weeks that you are not able to work.

Universal Credit

If you need help with your living costs, you might be able to claim Universal Credit. Claiming Universal Credit from hospital can be difficult because you need to claim online and not all hospitals have access to digital facilities. If you are struggling to make a claim for Universal Credit from hospital, you should contact the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service:

• England: 0800 144 8 444
• Wales: 08000 241 220
• Scotland: 0800 023 2581
• Northern Ireland: 08000 241 220

Contribution-based / New-Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you are not entitled to SSP, are not able to work due to ill health, have made enough National Insurance contributions and you are aged under State Pension age, you might be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Pension Credit 

If you are over State Pension age you might be able to claim Pension Credit.

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check your entitlement, and visit the GOV.UK site to start a Pension Credit application. 

Housing Benefit

If you rent your home and are already getting Housing Benefit (England, Scotland and Wales) or Housing Benefit (Northern Ireland) you can continue receiving them while you are in hospital. If you need to make a new claim for benefits then you might get help with your rent for up to six months through Universal Credit. You may also get Council Tax Support.

Terminally ill  

If you are terminally ill , there are special rules that make it easier and quicker to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.

You won't have to wait to get paid, the money can start from the first day you're too unwell to work. You won't need to go through a medical assessment or score points to show how your illness affects you. Instead, you'll automatically be put into the group that gets extra money; for ESA this is called the 'Support Group' and for UC this is called the 'Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity' Group.