Effect on Extra Help
Extra help can continue to be paid to the client for the first 13 weeks that they are in hospital. When the client's benefit is reduced to the hospital rate, any Extra help they receive will need to be stopped.
Accommodation Supplement
You will need to check whether the client still has to meet their continuing accommodation costs. If so, increase the benefit rate above the hospital rate to meet the accommodation costs.
Special Benefit
You will need to check whether the client still has to meet their continuing costs. If so, increase the benefit rate above the hospital rate to meet the costs.
Disability Allowance
Cancel the client's Disability Allowance from the date the benefit is reduced to the hospital rate. All costs associated with the client's disability are the responsibility of the hospital.
Family tax credit
As long as the child continues to be a dependent child, family tax credit and Best Start tax credit payments continue to be paid while the client is in hospital.
For Best Start tax credit payments will stop from the child’s third birthday.
Winter Energy Payment
When a Sole Parent Support client is admitted to hospital, their benefit can continue at the full rate for the first 13 weeks.
The rate of payment will need to be reduced to the hospital rate after the client has been in hospital for more than 13 weeks (not after receiving a benefit for 13 weeks). However, a portion of the Sole Parent Support may be paid to the caregiver of the children and if this happens, the caregiver may receive Winter Energy Payment.
For more information see:
