Benefit Payment Problems

Benefit payments can stop for a variety of reasons. If you find your benefits have not been paid you need to ascertain the reason why this is as soon as possible.

Why have my benefits stopped?

There maybe a number of reasons why you have not received your benefit (s) payment (or they have been reduced or stopped). These could include…

  • You have been sanctioned
  • You made a mistake when applying
  • DWP have made a mistake when processing
  • You or a member of your family have been admitted to hospital

If you have been sanctioned

There maybe a number of different reasons why you have had your benefits sanctioned – see full section on Benefit Sanctions. In order to work out how best to deal with a benefit sanction, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

You made a mistake when applying

If you think you the reason you have not received your benefit payment was because you made a mistake when applying you should contact the DWP immediately. Incorrect details such as submitting the wrong bank details could result in you not receiving your benefit payment (s).

You should also contact the DWP immediately if you believe you are receiving too much or too little with regard to each benefit you are claiming.

DWP made a mistake when processing

If you believe you are not getting your benefit payment because the DWP have made a mistake then you should contact them without delay. If there is a reason why you are not receiving your payment (such as being sanctioned or losing an appeal) then the DWP will always give written notification of this.

You or a family member have been admitted to hospital

In most cases if you have been in hospital for more than 28 days you will stop receiving payments for these benefits…

Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance

Although there are some exceptions, so check with the relevant department of the DWP.

There are also a number of benefits that will continue even whilst you are in hospital. These include…

Incapacity Benefit
Basic State Pension
New State Pension
Bereavement Allowance
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Industrial Injuries Benefit
Statutory Maternity Pay
Maternity Allowance
Statutory Sick Pay

Those who claim contributions based Employment and Support Allowance will get payments for up to 12 months

Those who claim contributions based Jobseeker’s Allowance will find it stops after two weeks or more of not being able to look for employment – but you could instead potentially claim ESA if this is the case

Those who claim Child Benefit will see their payments stopping if their dependent child is hospitalised for more than 84 days

What can I do?

If you are facing financial hardship due to not receiving a benefit payment (even if they have been stopped), then read our dedicated section on Emergency Assistance.