Income support+volunteering

00sally00

I've been to my daughter's parents evening on Tuesday and the class teacher mentioned that they are asking for volunteers to go into the class to listen to the children read one-to-one. I'd REALLY like to get involved because I've been pretty bored since my youngest started school. The only problem is that I am worried it might affect my benefits. I receive Income Support and DLA with CTC for the children.

It would be going in for about 1 1/2 hours at a time (definitely no more than 2 hours) and it would not be a regular once a week arrangement, probably about once a fortnight but it is not set in stone. It is just sitting and listening to the children read and I am pretty sure it won't affect my DLA (because i get this mainly for mobility and a little bit for care).

I just wanted to know if it is OK for me to do this while on benefits and do I have to inform anyone? I'd hate to helping out at school and then find that the benefits agency stop my benefits!

P.S. i have a security check forms to fill in to let me go into our school too.

cifpower

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/managingvolunteers/goodpracticebank/Information/volunteeringandstatebenefits.htm?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fmanagingvolunteers%2finformation%2fon-lineinformationsheets%2fvolunteeringandstatebenefits.htm&NRNODEGUID=%7bE19405D7-4DB5-46E9-BF23-017D66FF2BA3%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest

Volunteering should not affect someone’s Income Support as long as they are not receiving any money other than reimbursement of expenses

HTH

black-saturn

Why would they need to know? If it's only for an hour or two a week you won't need to tell them about it.

00sally00

black-saturn wrote:

Why would they need to know? If it's only for an hour or two a week you won't need to tell them about it.

Well after a very acrimonious split-up from my youngest DD's father, I wouldn't put it past him to report me if he thought I was "working" or something similar. I don't want to get myself into a mess so i want to make sure that I am TOTALLY ok with going into the class just incase the ex wants to try and cause me problems.

cifpower

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/vg1-2006.pdf is the full guide and very helpful. Go to the back for list of benefits and it shows you what you have to do if anything

sloppychops

black-saturn wrote:

Why would they need to know? If it's only for an hour or two a week you won't need to tell them about it.

What to do if your circumstances change
Tell your Jobcentre Plus office or benefits office as soon as any of the following apply:

you go into or come out of hospital
someone you get benefit for goes into or comes out of hospital
you go into a care home
you go abroad to live or for a visitor
you start working, or your working hours change, even if it is voluntary work
you gain capital (including savings and investments) for example property is left to you

http://www.direct.gov.uk/Bfsl1/BenefitsAndFinancialSupport/BenefitsAndFinancialSupportArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10018708&chk=CU5o6S

pipkin71

Hi 00sally00.

To put your mind at rest, I am receiving income support and a disability premium. For three years now, I have volunteered as a learning mentor in a primary school for a few hours per week.

The DSS have been aware of this since I started because I did not want to face a situation where I could be accused of fraud. The DSS have never had a problem with me volunteering, but I do think honesty is the best policy.

Enjoy the time you spend in school.

Regards
Pipkin xxx