The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is in the process of creating a new ‘digital channel’. It is designed to streamline reporting changes for those on disability benefits, other low-income benefits, and the State Pension.
The update came following a query by Conservative MP Neil O’Brien about the methods available for such claimants to report hospital stays. In his written reply, Sir Stephen Timms at the DWP stated: “For disability benefits, the usual route for the customer to notify us of a hospital admission is either via phone or in writing.”
He added: “Universal Credit customers can report a hospital stay via a phone call, they can also report it digitally via a journal message on their Universal Credit account or via a third party or supporter if consent has been given.
“The department is working on a digital channel for customers which will allow them to tell us about changes in one place. We do have plans to enable this going forward, but the work is not expected to be complete for at least another 12 months. Disability benefits, other low-income benefits and later life services are in-scope for this work, but, at present, Universal Credit is not.”
Sir Stephen, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, indicated that the new channel is not expected to be completed for at least another 12 months. He said it will not include Universal Credit claimants, who currently use an online journal to communicate with their work coaches and the DWP.
Sir Stephen also clarified why Personal Independent Payments (PIP) may stop when someone goes into hospital and how they will restart once they are discharged. He emphasised that entitlement to PIP or any other disability benefit is not affected – it’s just a pause on payments, reports the Daily Record.
The DWP minister explained in a written response to Mr O’Brien that a hospital stay will not affect people on Universal Credit. Sir Stephen said: “Where an adult aged 18 or over is maintained free of charge while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases after 28 days.
“This is on the basis that the NHS is responsible for not only the person’s medical care but also the entirety of their disability-related extra costs and to pay PIP in addition would be a duplication of public funds intended for the same purpose. Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP recommences from the date of discharge.
“Entitlement and payment of the standard allowance of Universal Credit will not change if a customer goes into hospital for treatment and/ or care, regardless of the duration of the stay. If the customer has been found to have limited capacity for work or work-related activity, this element will continue to be paid alongside the Universal Credit standard allowance.”
What needs to be reported if you go into hospital
You need to give details about your stay in hospital, including:
- the exact date you left hospital – if you have left
- the exact date you went into hospital
- if you moved between hospitals
- where you were discharged to, for example your home or a care home
- the name of the hospital you were in
- any other hospital stays in the last 28 days
- the name of the ward you were on – if you know it
You may need to report the stay to more than one office if you receive more than one benefit payment. Full details of all the numbers that need ot be called can be found here.