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Publication - Publication

Pension Age Disability Payment decision making guide

Published
7 Aug 2025
Topic
Pension Age Disability Payment
Effect of time spent in care homes, hospitals or similar institutions

Linked Periods

When calculating the length of stay in alternative accommodation, individual periods shorter than 28 days can be added together to form one 28 day period. However only periods with fewer than 28 days between them can be linked together in this way (PADP regs, reg. 19(3) and 20(3))

When an individual takes a temporary period of leave shorter than 28 days, their entitlement to be paid PADP will stop when they return to a care home or hospital. This is because a temporary period of leave of 28 days or fewer does not break any linked periods.

However, if the individual takes a period of leave or is discharged for 29 days or more before returning to a care home or hospital, the two periods are not linked and they will be paid PADP for the first 28 days of their stay (PADP regs, reg. 19(3) and 20(3)).

Example: linked periods that have an effect on payment

William ordinarily lives at home but has periodic stays in respite care, which meets the definition of a care home. He started receiving PADP six months ago.

William entered respite care on 1 April and left 19 April. The day he entered the care home and the day he leaves are not taken into account, so this period of residence is 17 days.

William is at home from 19 April and enters the care home again on 5 May. The day he left and the day he returned to the care home are not taken into account so the period he was living at home is 17 days.

From 5 May, William resides in the care home until returning home on 18 May. Neither 5 May or 18 May are included in the calculation, so the period William was residing in the care home for is 12 days.

As there are fewer than 28 days between the two periods during which William is in respite care, they are linked to form one 29 day period.

William will therefore receive PADP for the first 28 days of his stay but will not be paid for day 29.

Example: linked periods that have no effect on payment

Anita has been entitled to PADP for 3 years. They regularly spend short periods of time in hospital and live in their own home with their husband the rest of the time. Over the period of 3 months, Anita’s routine is:

  • residing in hospital: 1 October to 7 October. This period of residence is 5 days.
  • living at home: 7 October to 2 November. This period living at home is 27 days.
  • residing in hospital: 2 November to 10 November. This period of residence is 7 days.

There are only 27 days between the 5 day period and the 7 day period residing in hospital. These two periods are linked to form one 12 day period. Anita is entitled to PADP for this 12-day period.

Anita then stays at home from 10 November to 11 December. As this is more than 28 days the clock is re-set. Therefore, the 12 days of residence in hospital are not taken into consideration in calculating any future length of stay at the hospital. If there are any future stays, Anita would be entitled to receive PADP for 28 days all over again.

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