Hospital Admission - Housing Benefit - Rates

How hospital admission affects you or your family if you are claiming Housing Benefit or Rates rebate.

Customers and their Families

Customers can, in certain cirumstances, get Housing Benefit while temporarily absent from their home because of a stay in hospital, or because they are receiving medically approved (in writing, by a GP, nurse or similar) care.

Housing Benefit may continue for a period of up to 52 weeks as long as the claimant intends to return to their normal home within 52 weeks.

There are additional conditions:

• the claimant must still be liable for rates on their normal home
• the part of the home the claimant normally occupies must not be let or sublet
• the claimant must provide the authority with the information and evidence needed for the claim to continue

during the period of absence.

• Contact your nearest Social Security / Jobs & Benefits office
• Contact Land & Property Services