State pensioners admitted to hospital for extended periods risk losing access to several key benefits after four weeks under existing Government rules that many older claimants remain unaware of.
Regulations from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) mean that while the core state pension continues regardless of hospital stay length, additional support payments can be reduced or stopped once a stay exceeds 28 days.
Financial specialists at PensionBee confirm both the old basic state pension and the new state pension continue to be paid in full during hospital treatment.
However, separate DWP rules covering long absences from home mean other pension-related benefits may be suspended once someone has been in hospital for more than four weeks.
Experts say awareness of these rules remains low among pensioners despite hospital treatment becoming more common for those above the current retirement age of 66.
Benefits that may be affected include Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment.
Pension Credit provides additional income support for people whose weekly income falls below a set level and currently pays £227.10 per week, rising to £238 from April.
For recipients of the older basic state pension, which reaches a maximum of £174.45 per week, Pension Credit can provide a significant financial boost to household income.
Many older claimants without other income sources rely heavily on these additional payments to cover essential living costs including heating, food and housing expenses.
Benefit support payments can be reduced or stopped once a hospital stay exceeds 28 days
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Those receiving the new state pension who do not have a full National Insurance record may also rely on Pension Credit to move their income closer to the full £230.25 weekly state pension level.
PensionBee explains that Pension Credit calculations include income from other benefits, meaning any reduction or suspension of linked payments directly reduces the total Pension Credit amount received.
The benefit itself is split into two parts known as Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit, which together support pension age claimants whose income falls below specific thresholds.
Age UK warns transfers from hospital into care homes or community hospitals providing free short-term intermediate care can also count towards the 28 day hospital threshold.
Pensioners are advised to maintain regular communication with benefit offices
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GETTYOnce someone leaves hospital, they may become eligible to restart affected benefits, although this is not always automatic and may require reapplication or reassessment.
Age UK highlights particular difficulties for couples where one partner is below state pension age, as they may not be able to reclaim Pension Credit if entitlement stops during a hospital stay.
Claimants are required to inform the office responsible for paying their benefits when they enter hospital and again when they are discharged, quoting the reference number shown on their benefit award letter.
Government guidance states claimants should report any hospital stay lasting one night or longer as soon as possible to avoid payment disruption.
Experts say awareness of these rules remains low among pensioners
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Failure to notify the relevant authorities may result in benefit payments being reduced, suspended or stopped entirely until the situation is clarified.
Those receiving state pension, Pension Credit or Attendance Allowance are typically advised to contact the Pension Service helpline to report hospital admissions and ensure records remain accurate.
Charities supporting older people advise pensioners and their families to maintain regular communication with benefit offices during hospital treatment to help ensure payments restart correctly after discharge.
Because state pension recipients are currently aged 66 and above, extended hospital treatment remains a common life event that many older households may experience.
Welfare specialists say understanding reporting requirements and potential benefit impacts can help prevent unexpected income reductions during periods of illness or recovery.
Support organisations say families often play an important role in helping older relatives manage benefit reporting requirements during hospital stays.
Benefit experts say early notification and record keeping can help ensure any suspended payments are reinstated quickly once a claimant returns home.
