Income support + hospital - can I still claim?

tayler_remi

Hi there.

I am currenty getting the long term sick rate of income support however I am about to go in to hospital long term (for a few months.) Can I still claim income support or do I need to notify the Job Centre to stop it? If so, what financial help can I get whilst in hospital apart from DLA? Obviously my food etc will be paid for but I will need financial help for things such as travelling home on the weekends (I live a few hours away from the hospital), clothes etc.

Thanks.

Indie_Kid

If you're in hospital, I believe you can only claim DLA for 28 days.

computershack

I hope this helps. It is taken from the JSA website. You do need to inform them but you'll not lose money..

I am already getting it. What happens if:

I go into hospital or someone I claim for goes into hospital?
You must tell your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office 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.
As soon as you go into hospital
Nothing will usually happen to your Income Support straight away.
After 4 weeks.
If you get a Severe Disability Premium, your Income Support will usually be reduced if you or your partner are in hospital.
We use partner to mean a person you are married to or a person you are living with as if you are married to them.
After 12 weeks.
If any children you claim for are in hospital, your Income Support will usually be reduced.

After 52 weeks in hospital.
Your benefit will be reduced after you have been in hospital for 52 weeks.

Oldernotwiser

I'm trying to word this without it sounding rude, so apologies if I haven't managed it.

Why will you need to be buying clothes when you're in hospital?

tayler_remi

Because I have an eating disorder, therefore my recovery will involve gaining weight and therefore gaining a dress size or two so obviously my current clothes will become pretty useless.

Indie_Kid

But surely you won't put on weight that quickly? I never did when I was having weight issues.

tayler_remi

I'm also type 1 diabetic which speeds up weight gain. I often put on about half a stone within 1-2 weeks, not to mention the weight I need to gain to reach a healthy weight so yes, I will be putting on weight that quickly. Also my admission will be 120 days as that's how long the treatment programme is.

Oldernotwiser

tayler_remi wrote: »

Because I have an eating disorder, therefore my recovery will involve gaining weight and therefore gaining a dress size or two so obviously my current clothes will become pretty useless.

OK; that explains it. Apologies for asking.

kendalls_cave

You're DLA will stop after 28 days, but should be able to still claim IS

[Deleted User]

A couple of years ago when i was going into hospital i spoke to the jc+ and they told me as"bed and breakfast"charges had all but been stopped it didnt matter if i told them or not as long as it was for more than 28 days.

Vader123

computershack wrote: »

I hope this helps. It is taken from the JSA website. You do need to inform them but you'll not lose money..

I am already getting it. What happens if:

I go into hospital or someone I claim for goes into hospital?
You must tell your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office 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.
As soon as you go into hospital
Nothing will usually happen to your Income Support straight away.
After 4 weeks.
If you get a Severe Disability Premium, your Income Support will usually be reduced if you or your partner are in hospital.
We use partner to mean a person you are married to or a person you are living with as if you are married to them.
After 12 weeks.
If any children you claim for are in hospital, your Income Support will usually be reduced.

After 52 weeks in hospital.
Your benefit will be reduced after you have been in hospital for 52 weeks.

Can you link to this?

Its a common question on the boards and a URL will help.

Vader