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Disability Living Allowance

If you go into hospital, nothing will usually happen to your Disability Living Allowance (DLA) straight away.

If DLA is paid for someone aged 16 or over, it will usually stop after the person has been in hospital for four weeks.

If DLA is paid for a child under 16, it will usually stop after the child has been in hospital for 12 weeks.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance will usually stop after you have been in hospital for four weeks.

Employment Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit

Employment Support Allowance or Incapacity Benefit will usually stop after you have been in hospital for 52 weeks.

Reporting hospital stays

Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance

You must tell the Disability and Carers Service 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.

Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit

You must tell your Jobcentre if you or your partner have been in hospital for 52 weeks. You must also tell your Jobcentre when you come out of hospital.

• Contact the Disability and Carers Service Opens new window
• Find your local Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

Carer's Allowance

If someone receives Carer's Allowance because they are caring for you, this can continue for up to 12 weeks if you - or they - go into hospital. However, their Carer's Allowance will stop if your Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance stops. This is normally after you have been in hospital for four weeks.

Carers must tell the Disability and Carers Service if they, or the person they care for, go into or come out of hospital. Carers can report a hospital stay online using the Carer's Allowance e-service. The can also contact the Carer's Allowance unit at the Disability and Carers Service.

• Carer's Allowance online Opens new window
• Contact the Disability and Carers Service Opens new window