Latest news with #JobcentrePlus
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Full PIP and Universal Credit rules for hospital stays to prevent payment loss
The DWP has strict rules when it comes to reporting changes in circumstances - and this includes when you're in hospital. Here's everything you need to know People on PIP, Universal Credit, and other benefits could risk losing their claim if they're hospitalised. This is due to stringent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regulations that you need to stick to. These rules state that benefit recipients must report any significant changes that might impact their claim, even if it's a temporary shift. While some updates like a name change or switching doctors don't need to be flagged, a hospital stay does. According to DWP guidelines, you should notify the office that handles your benefits as soon as possible if you've spent a night or more in hospital or a rehab centre, or if a hospital stay or medical appointment will cause you to miss a Jobcentre Plus meeting. Failing to report this could lead to your claim being slashed or completely halted, reports the Liverpool Echo. Reporting a hospital stay When discussing a hospital stay with the DWP, you'll need to share some personal information. This includes your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and details about your partner if they're part of your claim. You'll also need to provide specifics about your hospital stay: the exact date you went into hospital the exact date you left hospital (if you've left hospital) any other hospital stays in the last 28 days the name of the hospital you were in where you were discharged to, for example your home or a care home the name of the ward you were on (if you know it) if you moved between hospitals READ MORE: UK to hold national two minute silence on August 15 How to make a report for your benefit The method for reporting your hospital stay varies depending on the benefit you're claiming. You might also need to make multiple reports if you're receiving more than one benefit from different departments. Here's a rundown of how to report a change for all relevant benefits: Attendance Allowance - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Child Benefit - contact HMRC if the child is in hospital for more than 12 weeks or residential care for more than eight weeks Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Housing Benefit - contact your local council Income Support - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Pension Credit - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433 State Pension - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Universal Credit - make a report via your Universal Credit online account If you're unable to get in touch with the office responsible for your benefit, a friend or relative can ring up on your behalf, provided they have the necessary details at hand.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Benefit claimants could have payments stopped in hospital
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has strict rules in place for benefit claimants who are admitted to hospital or a rehabilitation centre PIP, Universal Credit, and other benefit claimant s could risk losing their claim if they're hospitalised. This is due to strict rules from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The rules say benefit recipients must report significant changes that could impact their claim, even if it's short-term. While some things like a name change or switching doctors don't need to be reported, a hospital stay does. DWP guidelines say you should inform the office that handles your benefits as soon as possible if you've spent a night or more in hospital or a rehab centre, or if you'll miss a Jobcentre Plus appointment due to a hospital stay or medical appointment. If you fail to report this, your claim could be reduced or completely stopped. Reporting a hospital stay to DWP When discussing a hospital stay with the DWP, you'll need to provide some personal details. This includes your full name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and your partner's details if they're included in your claim. You'll also need to provide the following details of your hospital stay: the exact date you went into hospital the exact date you left hospital (if you've left hospital) any other hospital stays in the last 28 days the name of the hospital you were in where you were discharged to, for example your home or a care home the name of the ward you were on (if you know it) if you moved between hospitals How to make a report for your benefit There are different ways to report your hospital stay depending on which benefit you claim. You may also need to make more than one report if you receive more than one benefit from different departments. Below is a breakdown of how to report a change for all relevant benefits: Attendance Allowance - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Child Benefit - contact HMRC if the child is in hospital for more than 12 weeks or residential care for more than eight weeks Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433 Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Housing Benefit - contact your local council Income Support - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - call Jobcentre Plus at 0800 169 0310 Pension Credit - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - call the Disability Service Centre at 0800 121 4433 State Pension - call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 Universal Credit - make a report via your Universal Credit online account If you're unable to reach the office responsible for your benefit, a friend or relative can call on your behalf, provided they have the necessary details at hand.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lancashire to receive £38.8m funding for new work programme
Lancashire is to receive £38.8m to help get more people back into work in the is one of four areas to be given a share of £100m of government funding as part of the Connect to Work programme, with Lancashire the only place in the North scheme aims to help those who are out of work due to health conditions, disabilities or complex needs to find for Employment Alison McGovern, on a visit to Preston Jobcentre Plus, said: "This latest funding will make a real difference in the lives of people across the country." McGovern said: "We've set a goal for the country to get to an 80% employment rate. In Preston it's about 70% so a little bit behind. "We want places like Lancashire to be a major part of our economic story."As part of her visit, she also talked to job centre staff and some of those who use the service. Julie Griffin, 23, from Blackpool said finding work had been said: "When I was not working, I would just stay at home in bed and then I'd get really anxious and frightened to the point I wouldn't go out."After being supported by Jobcentre staff she is now working, and is urging others in a similar position to get help."It's all worth it in the end," she said. Under the Connect to Work programme in the county, 11,000 participants will be supported across Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool council government said changes to job centres would mean staff had more time to support people because they would be using better added: "Changing job centres and providing funding for towns and cities will make sure everyone is included in our economic plan."She also said she wanted job centres to work with businesses in the county to provide good said: "I want the likes of BAE and others to be recruiting through the DWP and helping people who might be perhaps overlooked to really get a job and get a start."I know that will set Lancashire well up for the future and its economic growth." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Six ways to get the most out of your Universal Credit claim – including £1,900 in boosted cash
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit could be missing out on extra free cash to cover the cost of living. Those on the benefit qualify for extra support that can be worth hundreds of extra pounds. 1 From help via the Household Support Fund (HSF) to a one-off payment for new parents, here's all the help you can get. Household Support Fund - £1,000 The Household Support Fund is a giant pot of cash worth £742million that's been shared between councils in England. Local authorities then have to decide how to distribute their share of the fund, whether that be through direct payments, vouchers or more. Eligibility criteria varies from area to area too, however in lots of cases you'll receive help if you're on benefits like Universal Credit. For example, residents in Portsmouth on Universal Credit struggling to afford essentials can apply for payments worth up to £1,000. Households in Calderdale can also get two awards worth £85 each between now and March 31, 2026. Find out what help is on offer in your area by speaking to your local council. You can find your local council via Discounted transport and help with job applications - £150 Those on Universal Credit can get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount card, cutting public transport costs by 50%. The card is free but you'll need to have been claiming Universal Credit for up to 12 months to apply. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence You can apply for one of the cards at your local JobCentre which you can find via There's also the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover costs like: Travel to interviews Job training (up to £150) Uniforms, work tools, and childcare One-off maternity payment - £500 New mums on Universal Credit can bag themselves £500 in free cash through the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child and paid to those in England and Wales. You usually qualify if you're pregnant with your first child or are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already. Find out more about the grant here - Council tax support - £190 You might be able to get a council tax reduction if you're on benefits including Universal Credit. In some cases, your monthly bill might be slashed by 100%. Each council runs its own scheme so there's no set rule across England. You can find out more via and enter your postcode to find your local council. The average Band D council tax set by local authorities in England for 2025/26 is £2,280 a year. Divided by 12 months of the year, that means you could save £190 a month based on a 100% discount. Help to Start - £25 Help to Save is a special savings account for those on Universal Credit who earned £1 or more in their last assessment period. The Government gives you a tax-free 50% bonus on whatever you save. You can save between £1 and £50 into a Help to Save account each month and keep one open for up to four years. Bonuses are paid at the end of the second and fourth year and are worth up to £1,200 in total. Per month that's £25. Healthy Start - £36 The Healthy Start scheme provides prepaid cards to buy essentials like milk, fruit, and vegetables. It's for families expecting a baby or that already have children under four and on certain benefits like Universal Credit. You could get up to £442 a year, depending on your circumstances, equating to around £36 a month. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. .
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
All the benefits that could be STOPPED over easy holiday mistake including Universal Credit and PIP
We reveal below how you can check if you're eligible for benefits TRIP UP All the benefits that could be STOPPED over easy holiday mistake including Universal Credit and PIP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SIMPLE holiday error could see a host of benefits including Universal Credit and PIP stopped. You may even have to pay back any overpaid money and in a worse case scenario an up to £5,000 penalty too. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A number of benefits can be stopped if you don't report going abroad Credit: Alamy Going abroad is classed as a change in circumstances which must be reported to the office that pays your benefits. If you do not, it may be reduced or stopped and you could be told to pay back any overpaid amounts. If you are found to have deliberately not reported going abroad, it is classed as benefit fraud and you could be taken to court or asked to pay a penalty of between £350 and £5,000. However, at which point you have to report going abroad varies based on the benefit you are receiving. For example, you don't have to report going abroad if you're on Attendance Allowance (AA) and going away for less than four weeks. If you do need to report going abroad, you need to tell your local Jobcentre Plus or the office that pays your benefit. This is the full list of benefits where you may have to report going abroad this summer: Universal Credit Jobseeker's Allowance PIP Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Pension Credit Housing Benefit Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Maternity Allowance Child Benefit Guardian's Allowance Here are the rules on reporting going abroad for the major benefits. Universal Credit If you're on Universal Credit, you can stay abroad for one month and carry on receiving payments. You still have to tell your work coach you're going away and have to carry on meeting the conditions of your claim. For example, if you are in the intensive work group and have to spend a minimum amount of hours per week looking for a job, you have to continue doing this. There are exceptions to the one-month rule though - such as if a "close relative" dies while you are abroad and it is not deemed reasonable for you to return to the UK. Meanwhile, you can carry on claiming Universal Credit for up to six months if you have gone abroad for medical treatment. You can report going away on holiday by signing in via your Universal Credit account. Jobseeker's Allowance If you are on New Style or income-based JSA you must report if you are leaving Great Britain for any length of time. You can let the Government know you are going away by calling the JSA helpline on 0800 169 0310. You can also write to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your JSA. You can find your nearest office by using its online branch locator. PIP and DLA You have to tell the DWP if you are on Personal Independence payments (PIP) Or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and going away for more than four weeks. You have to tell the Government the date you are leaving the country, how long you are going away for and which country you plan to visit. You also need to tell the DWP why you plan to go abroad. You can call the Disability Service Centre on 0800 121 4433 to inform them you are going away if you are on PIP or DLA. Attendance Allowance Like with PIP and DLA, you have to tell the DWP if you plan to go abroad for more than four weeks and are on AA. You can claim AA for up to 13 weeks while abroad, or 26 weeks if you're going away for medical treatment. Carer's Allowance If you are on Carer's Allowance, you can go away for up to four weeks over a six-month period while still receiving the benefit. But you still have to report this or risk having to pay back your entitlement or paying a fine. You can report going away via the Government's website or by calling the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297. Pension Credit You can claim Pension Credit for up to four weeks if you are abroad. This is extended to eight weeks if the absence is due to the death of your partner or a child. However, you still need to report going abroad. You can do this via the Government's website or by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 731 0469. Housing Benefit You can usually only carry on claiming Housing Benefit for up to four weeks if you go abroad. Like with Pension Credit, you can carry on receiving it for eight weeks if you have to go abroad because a close relative has died. But you should contact the Benefits Service on 020 7364 5000 to let them know you're going away. You might also be able to via your local council's website. You can find your local council by using the Government's online locator tool. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? 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