Universal credit

Your child continues to be included in your universal credit (UC) claim if the child’s stay in hospital is temporary. However, s/he is no longer included in your claim if the hospital stay is expected to last for more than six months, or has lasted for more than six months.1Reg 4(7) UC Regs While the child is still included in your UC claim, you continue get the child element and any disabled child element.2Reg 24(2) UC Regs Your work allowance (see here) is calculated taking into account that you have a dependent child.3Reg 22 UC Regs However, if you receive the carer element in respect of caring for the child who is in hospital, this stops if you no longer have ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities for your child (see here).4Regs 29 and 30 UC Regs You can have a short break in caring and still count as having ‘regular and substantial’ caring responsibilities. This break can last for up to 12 weeks if your child has been in hospital for at least eight of those weeks.5Regs 29 and 30 UC Regs; para F6025 ADM If you are in rented accommodation, the housing costs element is calculated as if the child is living with you for the first six months your child is in hospital.6Reg 4(7)(a) and Sch 4 para 11 UC Regs If you receive help with childcare costs in your UC, this may change if you are no longer paying for childcare because your child is in hospital.

Note: if the only reason you are exempt from the benefit cap (here) is because a child for whom you are responsible is entitled to disability living allowance (DLA) (or personal independence payment – PIP), this exemption will end if the child is no longer part of your UC claim.7Regs 79 and 83 UC Regs

 

1     Reg 4(7) UC Regs »

2     Reg 24(2) UC Regs »

3     Reg 22 UC Regs »

4     Regs 29 and 30 UC Regs »

5     Regs 29 and 30 UC Regs; para F6025 ADM »

6     Reg 4(7)(a) and Sch 4 para 11 UC Regs »

7     Regs 79 and 83 UC Regs »