Hospital and benefits - Benefits in Hospital
When you or someone in your family go into or come out of hospital, the benefits you get may change.
- Last reviewed 06 November 2025
Benefits in Hospital
Some benefits stop being paid or decrease when you, your partner or child have been in hospital as an in-patient for a set period of time. Other benefits are paid in full.
You should tell whoever pays the benefit (e.g. The Government department that is responsible for employment and welfare See full definition , Government department in Scotland that is responsible for Scottish benefits See full definition , The Government department in Northern Ireland that is responsible for benefits. See full definition , The Pension Service, The Government department that calculates and collects taxes. See full definition or the local authority) as soon as you go into hospital. They can then make changes to your claim so you aren't over or underpaid.
You should inform each agency that pays your benefit, as there's no guarantee that they'll do it for you.
If you move from a care home into hospital, you also should tell the people paying your benefits straight away as the rules for hospitals and care homes are different. Read our guide on Care Homes and Benefits for more information.
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