Hospital and benefits - Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment and Attendance Allowance

If you were not getting Personal Independence Payment, Adult Disability Payment Scotland or Attendance Allowance when you went into hospital, if for example your need for care began when you went into hospital, you can make a claim while in hospital. It will not be paid to you until you come out of hospital.

If you have a terminal illness

If you are terminally ill , there are special rules to help you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.

If your doctors say that you are terminally ill and reasonably expected to die within twelve months and you live in England or Wales or Northern Ireland, you can get the highest rate of Attendance Allowance or the highest rate of PIP daily living component straight away. It won't be paid while you are in a hospital but it can be paid if you are in a hospice. In Scotland, you can get the highest rate of PIP daily living or Adult Disability Payment Scotland daily living if you are considered terminally ill , without a doctor needing to estimate your remaining life.

You will need to ask your doctor/healthcare professional for a form called a DS 1500 and fill in the ‘special rules’ section of the claim form. Another person, for example your carer, relative or friend, can apply for Attendance Allowance or PIP under the special rules for you without your knowledge. If someone else makes the claim for you, the money will still be paid to you. In Northern Ireland, the form is called an SR1 form and in Scotland it is called a BASRiS form.