Volunteering work while on JSA

ceridwen

Evilm wrote: »

They directly ask at every sign on appointment "Have you done any work in the last two weeks, paid or unpaid.

Ah - thats clear.

Right..thats just asking for a smart aleck answer of: "Yes...I hoovered throughout my house, cleaned my kitchen, cleaned my bathroom...."
- well - its work isnt it...:rotfl:

ceridwen

busy_mom wrote: »

The voluntary work must be for a registered charity, jobcentre have no problems with people doing voluntary work provided people still attend all the regular appointments and are willing to give the work up to take paid employment. you must still attend all adviser interviews and cannot use the voluntary work as a reason for none attendance or benefit mat be effected.

Ah...that makes it even clearer - ie as long as the voluntary work one is doing is for something that doesnt count as a "registered charity" - then it doesnt count as voluntary work and doesnt have to be declared.

From that - I take it that one could work for any good cause one pleases - as long as its not a "registered charity".

Right - good-o - that means I could do voluntary work to my hearts content if it came to it, as nothing I would be doing it for would come under that heading:D

cassieB57

busy_mom wrote: »

The voluntary work must be for a registered charity, jobcentre have no problems with people doing voluntary work provided people still attend all the regular appointments and are willing to give the work up to take paid employment. you must still attend all adviser interviews and cannot use the voluntary work as a reason for none attendance or benefit mat be effected.

You can work any number of hours for a voluntary organisation, OR registered charity, provided you still do normal jobsearch, and can attend an interview within 48 hours and start work within a week. You can also volunteer for non voluntary organisations, provided you are not paid (for example helping an elderly neighbour with shopping, gardening etc) as long as there is no payment for the work (only reimbursement of reasonable expenses) that's fine. Any other unpaid work would have to supported with evidence of non payment as they may be in contravention of minimum wage legislation, and the decision maker can take 'notional' earnings into account if they feel the work should be paid (or indeed if you receive something in kind) There's more information about volunteering while on benefits on the direct gov site. Either way you must declare it.

cassieB57

ceridwen wrote: »

Ah - thats clear.

Right..thats just asking for a smart aleck answer of: "Yes...I hoovered throughout my house, cleaned my kitchen, cleaned my bathroom...."
- well - its work isnt it...:rotfl:

Yeah, that's sooo funny ..everyone thinks nobody ever said THAT before.!!