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 came to light 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.
In a written response on Monday, 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.”
There are several reasons why DWP may reduce, pause or even stop someone’s benefit claim – including going overseas on holiday for more than four weeks without informing them. But payments could also be stopped if you go into hospital.
Going into hospital for even just one night and failing to inform the right benefit department may result in your payments being reduced or stopped. The DWP has provided guidance on the GOV.UK website on what claimants need to do if they are admitted to hospital and will miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment.
However, they also have a warning which states: “Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a hospital stay.”
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:
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go into hospital for one night or longer
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go into a care home or rehabilitation centre for one night or longer
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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:
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full name
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date of birth
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National Insurance number
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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:
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the exact date you went into hospital
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the exact date you left hospital – if you have left
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the name of the hospital you were in
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the name of the ward you were on – if you know it
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if you moved between hospitals
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any other hospital stays in the last 28 days
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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:
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State Pension
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Pension Credit
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Attendance Allowance – call the Attendance Allowance helpline if you only get Attendance Allowance
Disability benefits
Call the Disability Service Centre if you get:
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Low or no income benefits
Call Jobcentre Plus if you get:
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Income Support
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Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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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:
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Bereavement Allowance
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Carer’s Allowance
Full details of the numbers to call can be found on the GOV.UK website here.