PIP continues for the first 28 days in hospital — then stops if you are an NHS inpatient. This rule exists because the NHS is meeting your care needs during a long admission. Here is how the hospital stay rules work for PIP in 2026/27, and what to do to protect your payments.
The 28-Day Rule: How It Works
| Situation | PIP continues? |
|---|---|
| NHS inpatient, days 1–28 | Yes — full payments continue |
| NHS inpatient, day 29 onwards | No — both components stop |
| Private patient (self-funded) | Yes — PIP continues throughout |
| Day patient (not overnight) | Yes — PIP not affected |
| Mental health inpatient (NHS-funded) | Stops after 28 days, same as physical admission |
| Rehabilitation unit (NHS-funded) | Stops after 28 days |
| Hospice that is part of an NHS hospital | Stops after 28 days |
| Independent hospice (for example a charity hospice), terminally ill and DWP told | PIP continues |
| Under 18 when admitted | PIP continues |
Linking Hospital Stays
DWP links hospital stays that are separated by 28 days or fewer. This prevents the 28-day clock being reset by a short discharge home.
Example:
- Admitted 1 April, discharged 21 April: the days that count are 2 to 20 April (19 days)
- Home for 14 days, then readmitted 5 May: the gap is under 28 days, so the stays are linked and the count resumes from 19
- The second stay counts from 6 May; 9 more days (6 to 14 May) reach 28
- PIP stops from 15 May
To reset the 28-day clock fully, you must be out of hospital for more than 28 days in a row.
What to Do When Admitted
- Note the admission date: the 28 days count from the day after you are admitted
- Tell DWP straight away: call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 (tell UC separately through your journal if you claim it)
- Confirm your care is NHS-funded — if you are paying privately, PIP is not affected
- Arrange for someone to manage your benefits — a family member or carer can act on your behalf with a letter of authority
Impact on Other Benefits When PIP Stops
When PIP stops due to hospitalisation, it can trigger changes to other benefits:
- Universal Credit carer element: if a carer gets the UC carer element for caring for you because you get the daily living part, it can stop when your PIP stops. Their UC would fall by £209.34 a month (2026/27 rate).
- Carer’s Allowance: if someone gets Carer’s Allowance for caring for you because you get the daily living part, it can stop when your PIP stops. They must tell the Carer’s Allowance Unit.
- Motability vehicle: your lease is paid from your mobility payments, so contact Motability as soon as you know a stay will last more than 28 days.
- Vehicle tax exemption: depends on getting the enhanced mobility rate, so contact DVLA if your mobility payments stop.
Practical Planning for a Long Hospital Stay
If you know you are facing a planned admission of more than 28 days:
- Contact DWP before admission if possible — they can note the admission in advance
- Notify Motability immediately so they can plan
- Inform carers who receive CA or UC carer element — they need to update DWP
- If you are terminally ill and moving to an independent hospice, tell DWP: PIP continues there
When PIP Restarts After Discharge
PIP can be paid again from the day of discharge; you do not need to make a fresh claim, but you do need to tell DWP you have left hospital. Then:
- Processing can take several days, meaning the first payment after a long stay may be delayed
- Check your bank account within 2 weeks of discharge
- If no payment arrives, call DWP on 0800 121 4433
If your condition has changed significantly during a long hospital stay — better or worse — you can request a PIP review after discharge to reassess your award level.
See our what happens if PIP is stopped guide, benefits if you go to hospital guide, and PIP guide.