voluntary work - a question

bundance

I am on incpacity benefit, and like many other people, I am afraid of being wrongly declared fit for work.
Although not well enough at the moment, I am considering doing some voluntary work, so that there are no gaps in my CV, and I have something to offer employers when the time comes.

Do I need to tell the DWP if I start doing voluntary work?
If so, why?

All help appreciated.

hayley11

I was told by the job centre that I have to inform them of any voluntary work, I am also on incapacity benefit. The person I spoke to though encouraged me to do it and said it wouldn't affect my benefit as long as the voluntary work doesn't conflict with the reason i'm not working.

They probably want to know so they can keep a check on how you're doing, if you can manage say 30 hours a week voluntary work, then they might think you're well enough to do paid work.

bundance

Thank you.

AnxiousMum

I think they want you to tell them so that they can be assured the type of work would not worsen any condition that you may already have, and that if you are doing say 20 hours per week, and your condition worsens, they would then ask you to cut back on it until your health improves some.

stazi

Here's the JCP leaflet-
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1023.pdf

healy

bundance wrote: »

I am on incpacity benefit, and like many other people, I am afraid of being wrongly declared fit for work.
Although not well enough at the moment, I am considering doing some voluntary work, so that there are no gaps in my CV, and I have something to offer employers when the time comes.

Do I need to tell the DWP if I start doing voluntary work?
If so, why?

All help appreciated.

Yes you would have to inform the DWP of voluntary work that you decide to do.

Surely, from what you have said in your other posts there is already a large gap in your C.V. as you have been on IB for a number of years.

bundance

healy wrote: »

Yes you would have to inform the DWP of voluntary work that you decide to do.

Surely, from what you have said in your other posts there is already a large gap in your C.V. as you have been on IB for a number of years.

There is a large gap in my CV, but I thought that, if well enough, I could begin to close that gap now rather than waiting until I am in a position to find work.
This is because i would have some skills and experience to offer prospective employers when the time comes, rather than spending large amounts of time unemployed with no money, due to lack of skills.
Also, if I waited until I was genuinely fit for work, I would have to start training, but would still not be earning.

healy

bundance wrote: »

There is a large gap in my CV, but I thought that, if well enough, I could begin to close that gap now rather than waiting until I am in a position to find work.
This is because i would have some skills and experience to offer prospective employers when the time comes, rather than spending large amounts of time unemployed with no money, due to lack of skills.
Also, if I waited until I was genuinely fit for work, I would have to start training, but would still not be earning.

My point is that you cannot close the gap as it is already there from your years on IB.

SailorSam

The thing about voluntary work is, you don't have to go.
If the benefits agency were to ask how it possible for you to do voluntary but not paid work, as a volunteer if you are not feeling well at any time it's easier for you to come and go.

bundance

I know that there is no obligation to do voluntary work, but the rules say you must inform the DWP and they may see this as an imporovement in my condition, when all I want to do is get experience to show to employers to have a better chance of employment.
I only want to do an hour here and there, nothing like the pressure of a full time job.
Applying for voluntary work seems like too much of a risk right now.

bundance

SailorSam wrote: »

The thing about voluntary work is, you don't have to go.
If the benefits agency were to ask how it possible for you to do voluntary but not paid work, as a volunteer if you are not feeling well at any time it's easier for you to come and go.

True

Volulntary work was something I am looking at now, as a future option, when I feel well enough. I was just thinking of an hour here and there for experience. However, I now understand why DWP would want to know, because some voluntary work could be classed as paid work, although it isnt (read rules-complicated)