Adult and Community Services

Benefits and Bills

If you are going in to or are leaving hospital you should immediately notify the Department for Work and Pensions and the council office that deals with your claims for housing and council tax benefit.

This is important as in most cases your benefit entitlement will have to be reassessed to take into account your new circumstances. Most benefits are reduced during a stay in hospital usually after either 4 or 6 weeks.

If you were not claiming any form of benefit prior to entering hospital you may now be entitled to claim.

When you come out of hospital you may also be entitled to other benefits if you have become disabled as a result of your illness.

Related services

The Local Job Centre can offer advice and support on a range benefits you may be entitled too, this includes bereavement benefits, cold weather payments, crisis loans, funeral payments, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and other benefits for people of working age.