Voluntary Work less than 16 hrs and ESA

wildthing46

I have been told from my medical assessment I may be considered for work in 6 mths, which suits me and gives me a goal in life.

In order to prepare myself for going back into the commercial world I have been considering volunteer work for max. 2 days a week, to retrain and try and prepare myself mentally and physically for going back to work. Simply couldn't just face launching into it without a build up in 6 mths time. I lost everything in my life, everything, and can't face returning to my previous career. The volunteer work will include 4 mths training to start before I can really get involved, good training, I am determined to cope with it and rebuild my confidence.

Underwent surgery twice this year and suffered traumatic stress due to lots of personal circumstances over the last 3 years, did carry on working for 2 out of the 3 yrs nearly having a breakdown, practically had one, and then the accident was the icing on the cake last Jan.

In the work focused group of ESA, what would happen to my ESA?

stazi

See page 18 of the ESA leaflet here-
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/dev_015885.pdf

BANNEDfromTV

Nothing, you're allowed to do voluntary work while receiving ESA. You could even do paid work under Permitted Work rules while receiving ESA.

Permitted Work is working for less than 16hours a week and earning less no more than £93 per week.
You can do this and keep your ESA, it wont affect it. It may affect your Housing/Council Tax Benefit but should only be slightly. This would obviously be in paid work rather than voluntary work.

Voluntary work, so long as it is agreed with your personal adviser could be done for even 20 or 30 hours per week. However its best to stick part time because of (a) your health and (b) not to cause an investigation in to your benefit situation.
At the end of the day you're off work for an illness related reason so if you're well enough to do free work for 30 hours, you should be well enough to do paid work for 30 hours. That's how they'd look at it.

Contact your local jobcentre and ask to see an ESA Personal Adviser to discuss your options.