You should tell the Social Security Agency when you go into hospital, as some of your benefits will be affected by this change in your circumstances. It is also important that you tell them when you leave hospital, so that payments can start up again in full.

Some benefits will not be affected by a stay in hospital, and others may only be affected if the hospital stay is over a year.

Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance will be reduced after you, or the person you are caring for, has been an inpatient in hospital for at least four weeks. It is important to remember that different stays in hospital, if they are less than 28 days apart, are linked together and treated as a continuous period.

If you are terminally ill and staying in a hospice that is not fully funded by the NHS, your Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance will not be affected.

The way your benefits will be affected by your stay in hospital depends on your individual circumstances and which combination of benefits you are claiming. Speak to a benefits adviser for advice about your situation.