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Your benefits while you are in hospital
Please note: as an older person, finding out which benefits you may be entitled to, and the impact they may have on other benefits, is not always straightforward. There is a huge amount of information available about benefits, but this can be overwhelming or confusing. We would always advise you to seek advice from an independent Welfare Rights Officer, who will be able to look at your individual situation and guide you through the applications process.
You can find details of local and citywide organisations that provide independent and free benefits advice on the Newcastle City Council website.
Some benefits can be reduced or lost when you go into hospital. It is important to keep your social security office informed, so that they can adjust your benefits if necessary.
You should tell them your date of admission before you go into hospital. If you can’t do this, let them know as soon as possible afterwards. Then when you leave hospital let them know that you have returned home, even if no benefits were stopped while you were being treated.
If you receive Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit, you need to keep Newcastle City Council informed in the same way.
The rules about receiving benefits in hospital can be complicated and it can be tricky to work out exactly how your benefits will be affected by a stay in hospital. We would always advise you to seek advice from an independent Welfare Rights Officer, who will be able to look at your individual situation and guide you through the process. To find an advice service, visit the Newcastle City Council website.
For more information on hospital stays and benefits, visit the Directgov website.
Contact Information
Newcastle Welfare Rights Service
Brian Roycroft Centre, The Shopping Centre, Newbiggin Hall Estate, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 4BR.
Telephone : 0191 277 2633.
Article last updated December 28, 2011 11:14 am
