Can you claim jobseekers whilst volunteering?

sdavi3680

I'm in a sticky situation where in order for me to progress onto a University course and a career (Archivist) I have to get some work experience first. The course states they expect you to have at least 3 months experience and it seems like most people do this through volunteering. I just don't see how I can support myself whilst doing this, especially as I cannot do it from my parents home (we live in a small town with no relevant places nearby).
If only I was raised in London.

Savvy_Sue

You can claim JSA while volunteering, but only if you are continuing to job seek, and would give up the volunteering like a flash in order to work if a suitable job is offered to you.

codwidow

You can do up to 16 hours per week, my local jobcentre is encouraging people to do it. I would do it but I have no way of paying for full day childcare whilst I am unemployed

hibbi

You can volunteer whilst claiming JSA, however, if it is not for a registered charity it may need to go to a Decision Maker for them to decide if they think you should be getting paid for your volunteer work.

book12

You could do volunteer work. You need to fill in some sort of form during your sign-on sessions.

Or you could just say you aren't doing any, but you are doing it. They can't check.

Savvy_Sue

codwidow wrote: »

You can do up to 16 hours per week, my local jobcentre is encouraging people to do it. I would do it but I have no way of paying for full day childcare whilst I am unemployed

SOME organisations might consider paying for childcare for a volunteer. We certainly pay for odd sessions of childcare when someone wouldn't otherwise be able to help us. We pay for travel for some of our volunteers too.

We've never been asked to do it on a long-term basis.