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Disability Living Allowance

If you go into hospital, nothing will usually happen to your Disability Living Allowance (DLA) straight away.

If DLA is paid for someone aged 16 or over, it will usually stop after the person has been in hospital for four weeks.

If DLA is paid for a child under 16, it will usually stop after the child has been in hospital for 12 weeks.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance will usually stop after you have been in hospital for four weeks.

Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit

Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit will not be affected during a stay in hospital, but certain additions may be affected.

Reporting hospital stays

Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance

You must tell the Disability and Carers Service as soon as you go into or come out of hospital. You must also tell them if someone you get benefit for goes into or comes out of hospital.

Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit

You must tell your Jobcentre if you or your partner are admitted to hospital. You must also tell your Jobcentre when you come out of hospital.

State Pension and Pension Credit

Your State Pension may be affected by a stay in hospital. See the link 'Report your change of address, bank details or other change of circumstances to The Pensions Service' to learn more.

Cold Weather Payment

If you receive a Cold Weather Payment that may also be affected if you go into hospital.

• Contact the Disability and Carers Service Opens new window

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

• Report your change of address, bank details or other circumstances to The Pension Service (pensions and retirement planning section)

• Cold Weather Payment (pensions and retirement planning section)

Carer's Allowance

If someone receives Carer's Allowance because they are caring for you, this can continue for up to 12 weeks if either:

• you go into hospital
• your carer goes into hospital

Carer's Allowance will stop if your Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance stops. This is normally after you have been in hospital for four weeks.

Carers must tell the Disability and Carers Service if they, or the person they care for, go into or come out of hospital. Carers can report a hospital stay online using the Carer's Allowance e-service. The can also contact the Carer's Allowance unit at the Disability and Carers Service.

• Carer's Allowance e-service Opens new window

• Contact the Disability and Carers Service Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Disability health contacts