Pension Credit: Does Hospitalization Affect Eligibility?

Pension Credit is a benefit for people who are on a low income and have reached pension age. It is intended to provide extra money in retirement. But does this pension credit stop when you are in the hospital? Well, if you've been in the hospital for more than a year, you will not be able to get Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Additionally, if you move into a care home, your entitlement to Pension Credit is calculated in the same way as if you lived at home. However, if you are part of a couple and only one of you lives in a care home, your Pension Credit may be calculated separately. If you stay in the hospital for 28 days or more, certain benefits may be affected, and you should contact the relevant helpline for more information.

Does Pension Credit Stop When in Hospital?

Pension Credit is calculated the same way as if you lived at home

If you move into a care home, whether temporarily or permanently, you should inform the relevant benefit office. The impact on your benefit payments depends on your circumstances and the type of benefits you receive.

If you go into a care home, your entitlement to Pension Credit is calculated in the same way as if you lived at home. However, if you have been in hospital for more than a year, you will not be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

If you have no dependants living in your home and have been in hospital for 52 weeks, you can no longer receive pension credit housing costs. If you have dependants or other people living in your home, their right to benefit depends on their circumstances. If you are part of a couple and have been in hospital for 52 weeks, you and your partner will be treated as separate claimants.

If you stay in the hospital for 28 days or more, certain benefits will be affected. For instance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will stop after 28 days, and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) will stop after four weeks. If you are discharged and then readmitted to the hospital within 28 days, the days are added together, and if the total exceeds 28 days, you will no longer be eligible for those benefits until you return home.

If you're part of a couple, Pension Credit may be calculated separately

If you're part of a couple, your Pension Credit may be calculated separately under certain circumstances.

Firstly, if you move into a care home, your entitlement to Pension Credit is calculated in the same way as if you lived at home. However, if only one of you moves into a care home, the Pension Service may calculate your Pension Credit separately.

Secondly, if you are hospitalised for 52 weeks, you and your partner will be treated as separate claimants. This means that your partner will continue to receive Pension Credit as long as they qualify for it.

It is important to note that Pension Credit is a benefit for people who are on a low income and have reached pension age. It is intended to provide extra money in retirement and ensure basic living expenses are met. There are two parts to Pension Credit: the guarantee credit and the savings credit.

If you have no dependants, you can't get Pension Credit housing costs after 52 weeks

Pension Credit is a benefit for people on low incomes who have reached pension age. It provides basic living expenses and gives extra money in retirement. There are two parts to Pension Credit: the guarantee credit and the savings credit. An additional amount can be included in your award if you have a dependent child or young person.

If you have no dependants, you cannot get Pension Credit housing costs after 52 weeks in hospital. This is because Pension Credit housing costs are affected by certain additional amounts and housing costs. The additional amount for severe disability will stop after four weeks if you are in hospital and you lose your attendance allowance, pension age disability payment, disability living allowance, etc. If you have a partner who is not in hospital and also qualifies for the additional amount for severe disability, they will continue to receive it. The additional amount for carers will stop eight weeks after your carer's allowance or carer support payment stops. Once you have been in hospital for a continuous period of 52 weeks, if you have no dependants living in your home, you can no longer get Pension Credit housing costs.

Non-dependant deductions may apply to your extra amount for housing costs and to your loan for housing costs. Standard rates of deductions are made from your Pension Credit for non-dependants aged 18 or over who normally live with you. There are six levels of deduction, and the rate is based on the age, circumstances, and gross income of the non-dependant. If the non-dependant works less than 16 hours per week, the lowest deduction will apply. If they work more than 16 hours per week, the rate of deduction is based on their gross income. No deductions will be taken from your Pension Credit if you or your partner are registered blind or severely sight-impaired.

If you have dependants, their benefit entitlement depends on their circumstances

Pension Credit is a benefit for people who are on a low income and have reached pension age. It is intended to provide extra money for basic living expenses in retirement. It consists of two parts: guarantee credit and savings credit. An additional amount can be included in your award if you have a dependent child or young person.

If you are hospitalised, Pension Credit housing costs can be claimed for up to 52 weeks if you have dependants or other people living in your home. Their right to benefit depends on their circumstances. If you have no dependants, you can no longer claim housing benefits after 52 weeks.

If you are the carer for someone who goes into hospital, your Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment will stop when their Attendance Allowance, Pension Age Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Scottish Adult DLA or Child Disability Payment care component, or Personal Independence Payment or Adult Disability Payment daily living component stops.

If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you can get help paying your Council Tax bill. You can also get free NHS transport to the hospital and help with other travel costs if you are hospitalised.

If you're in hospital for more than a year, you can't get Winter Fuel Payment

A stay in the hospital can affect your benefits in several ways. If you have been in the hospital for a continuous period of 52 weeks (one year), you will no longer be eligible for certain benefits, such as the Winter Fuel Payment or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This is because these benefits are typically not provided if you have no dependents living in your home.

If you are part of a couple and only one of you has been in the hospital for a year, your Pension Credit may be calculated separately. Your entitlement to Pension Credit, in this case, is determined as if you were living at home. Additionally, if you move into a care home, your disability benefits may continue or stop, depending on who pays your fees.

It is important to note that your State Pension will not be affected by a hospital stay. However, other benefits may be impacted. For example, if you stay in the hospital for 28 days or more, certain benefits will be stopped until you return home. This includes the Disability Living Allowance (DLA). If you are discharged and then readmitted within 28 days, the days spent in the hospital will be accumulated, and if the total exceeds 28 days, you will no longer qualify for those benefits.

If you are receiving benefits and plan to go into the hospital, it is essential to be aware of how your benefits may be affected. Contacting the relevant helplines and benefit offices is crucial to understanding your specific circumstances and which benefits may be impacted.

Frequently asked questions