§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reductions are applied to a payee's(a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance, (c) state retirement pension, (d) invalidity benefit and (e) income support during a period of in-patient (i) NHS hospital treatment and (ii) private hospital treatment. [19114]
§ Mr. McCartneyDisability living allowance is withdrawn after four weeks in hospital, or after 12 weeks in the case of a recipient aged under 16. Attendance allowance is withdrawn after four weeks.
A limited reduction is made to retirement pension and incapacity benefit after six weeks in hospital. The reduction is currently £28.30 a week, or £14.50 if the recipient has a dependant. After 52 weeks payment is reduced to 436W 20 per cent. (£14.50) of the basic retirement pension for a person without a dependant and by 40 per cent. of the basic retirement pension for a person with a dependant.
Income support for a single person is reduced to £18.15 a week after six weeks and to £14.50 after 52 weeks. In the case of a couple, it is reduced by £14.50 a week after six weeks. Each partner should make a separate claim after 52 weeks, and the one in hospital will receive £14.50 a week.
People who pay the whole cost of accommodation and services provided for them by the hospital are not subject to these reductions.