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Managing money when in hospital
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Common issues that people face
If you were already claiming benefits
When do benefits stop?
In and out of hospital
Going into hospital
If your partner is claiming benefits
If you can't manage your own benefits
If you were doing paid work before entering hospital
If you can't manage your money or debts whilst in hospital
Information and advice available in hospital
Leaving hospital
The Social Fund
Questions to ask to help you manage your money whilst in hospital
Common issues that people face
Being admitted to hospital because of a mental health condition can be disruptive and stressful. Sorting out your finances at a time when you need to be concentrating on your mental health may not feel as if it should be a priority.
However, there are some issues to consider so that financial issues do not become an extra impact on your wellbeing.
- If you do not check your benefit entitlement, you may be under or overpaid benefits whilst in hospital.
- You may need to plan how to pay existing or recurring debts such as rent or mortgage, court fines or household bills.
- You may have limited control over your finances.
- You may be considered to lack capacity to deal with your finances.
- Many creditors will expect some level of repayment of debts, even if a person's circumstances change.
- It may be difficult for you when on a ward to have access to telephones, the Internet and letter-writing opportunities.
Most creditors will expect that people who cannot meet their usual level of repayment will offer some money, even if only a token amount. Things you can do:
- Speak to an advice worker in hospital (if one is available).
- Contact an external advice service that can help you.
- Ask a family member, friend, or other carer/provider of support to do seek information and advice on your behalf.
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Going into hospital
If you were already claiming benefits
If you were receiving benefits before you went into hospital, it is your responsibility to inform the Social Security Agency. This includes Disability and Carers Service or Jobcentre Plus and you can find your local office on the Department for Work and Pensions website: www.dwp.gov.uk/localoffice
If you don't do this, you may be overpaid benefits, which will then be claimed back by the agency, and these repayments might be difficult to manage.
Information about how your benefits can be affected by a prolonged hospital stay can be found on the Directgov website.
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When do benefits stop?
Various benefits usually stop after a continuous period in hospital.
- Disability Living Allowance (over 16 years of age) – four weeks.
- Disability Living Allowance (under 16 years of age) – twelve weeks.
- Attendance Allowance – four weeks.
- Incapacity Benefit – 52 weeks.
- Carer's Allowance – 12 weeks but will stop when Disability Allowance or Attendance Allowance stops, so usually stops after 4 weeks.
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In and out of hospital
It is important that you get records from the hospital about the dates that you enter and leave hospital so can claim benefits for the periods of time when you are living at home.
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If your partner is claiming benefits
It is the responsibility of your partner to inform the Social Security Agency if you go into hospital for an extended period and:
- they are claiming benefit jointly with you, or
- they are claiming benefits for looking after you (eg Carer's Allowance).
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If you can't manage your own benefits
If you are finding it too stressful or difficult to manage your benefits, you can formally nominate a friend, carer or support person to be your 'Appointee'. If that person agrees to take on these responsibilities then he or she becomes fully responsible for looking after and administering your benefits. This person will be responsible for informing the Social Security office if there are any changes in your circumstances, such as entering hospital for a period of time.
Make sure you choose someone you can really trust and depend on for this role. You can make written arrangements, such as an advance statement, that can detail your wishes should you need to go into hospital. If you become unhappy with the 'Appointeeship', then you can approach Social Services to take back control of your own benefits or to nominate another 'Appointee'.
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If you were doing paid work before entering hospital
If you go to hospital but were not previously claiming benefits, you may be entitled to financial support, such as incapacity benefit.
This can be particularly relevant if you are self-employed, or if your statutory sick pay has reached its limit.
If you have payment protection insurance, it may cover you for a period in hospital and cover your mortgage or other debts. Be aware that most payment protection schemes do not cover existing conditions such as mental health problems, and some will not cover you if you are hospitalised due to a mental health problem.
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If you can't manage your money or debts whilst in hospital
If you have an enduring condition that means you may have to go in and out of hospital, you could consider informing your financial service suppliers (such as your bank or mortgage provider) that you have nominated a trusted person to deal with your finances when you are unable to.
You or your nominated person might be able to negotiate with your creditors for reduced or delayed payments.
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Information and advice available in hospital
Benefits and debt advice is provided in some hospitals, but will vary from one hospital to another in terms of:
- the type of service offered
- the number of hours per week it is available
- the people/organisations supplying the advice.
You may want to contact an independent financial advice service, or get a trusted person to make that contact on your behalf.
An Advocacy Service may operate that can help and support you express your views and concerns, access information and services and explore options. Mind's Guide to Advocacy can provide you with more information about advocacy services and how to get in touch with them.
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Leaving hospital
The Social Fund
If you know you will need money towards essential household items or for immediate short-term expenses when you leave hospital, you can make an application to the Social Fund:
Crisis Loans are small interest-free loans that aim to help people who cannot meet their immediate short-term expenses in an emergency, and are often used to tide people over while their benefit claims are assessed. However, you do not have to be on benefits to apply for a crisis loan. A decision on your claim for a Crisis Loan should be made on the same day as your application is submitted.
Community Care Grants are available to cover such items as clothes, furniture and cooking equipment. In order to be able to claim, you will have to fill out a form with enough information to allow Jobcentre Plus staff to make a decision about your claim, based on the extent and urgency of your needs. If at all possible, seek expert help with your application from one of the free, independent, confidential services we recommend.
You can apply for a Community Care Grant if you are leaving institutional or residential care in the next six weeks and are eligible for Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit. That means, assuming you know your discharge date, you can make a claim up to six weeks before leaving hospital.
Applying for either type of loan does not mean that you will be paid all or even some of the money you have asked for. If you are turned down for the loan, you do have the right to challenge the decision.
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Questions to ask to help you manage your money whilst in hospital
Routines vary from hospital to hospital and ward to ward. These questions should help you feel more in control of your money during your hospital stay, and may help you think of questions to ask staff to address your own concerns. Ask a nurse or other member of staff who is the most appropriate person to help you answer your questions, and make a note of the answers.
- Is there a patient's bank and what are the opening hours?
- I get my benefits paid into a Post Office account, where is the nearest Post Office and what are the opening hours?
- How can I get benefits advice whilst in hospital?
- Where can I access a payphone to contact people about my finances?
- Where am I allowed to use my mobile phone?
- Where can I buy credit for my mobile phone?
- How much does it cost to use the bedside console, and what does it offer (eg TV, radio, phone, internet access)?
- Who can I talk to about getting my benefit books, credit cards and cheque books made secure?
- Who can I talk to about paying urgent, outstanding bills?
- Who can help me with completing forms, such as claim forms?
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