Dilemma: freelance admin work's pay deducted from jsa

GTDtogether

I have been offered some freelance admin work to be done at home. There is a chance there can be more where this came from.

I have found out that the first £5 will be allowed and the rest will be deducted from my benefit. So I thought that in that case it doesn't make sense that the business pays a fee that will be gobbled up by the benefits people. My next thought was just do it as voluntary as it will undoubtedly help me keep my IT skills up to scratch, and can go on my CV as well as getting a reference.

Well, there is a problem. If it's for a business and not a charity then its not counted as 'voluntary' in the jobcentre's eyes. It would be regarded as 'notional work' and even if I didn't receive any money they would deduct the 'going rate', or at least hold my claim and look into it. I guess this is to stop people working in family business and still claiming.

If I managed to do a good week and earned over my benefit, yes i would in some ways benefit, but then there is my hb that would then need to be reassessed and chances are I would not lose that for trhe week but also be a big performance getting it back again.

I know there is rapid reclaim if someone does temporary work but how does someone who does adhoc freelance work stand? Taking also into account that any payment could come a month later after I've sent an invoice.

It just seems ridiculous as well that this small business which is struggling will in effect be handing over the money to the jobcentre's account.

Anyone dealt with anything similar?

FBaby

They won't be handling money to the job centre, they will be paying you for the work you will do for them. As you will be earning some money through work, which is what everyone who can do so is expected to do, you will get less benefit to suport you. Sounds totally fair. You might not be much better off financially, but as you say, it will allow you to strenghten your CV and that is always priceless.

nannytone_2

you'd rather do the job for nothing than lose some of your JSA?
at least you will be 'keeping your IT skills up to scratch', making yourself a fiver and saving the taxpayer something!

Vejovis

where is the dilemma? you will be earning some money, benefits are for people who cannot earn.

Arg

The problem which some of you dopey people have missed is that part time work with irregular hours that someone trying to get off benefits might take has the potential to screw up benefit payments and leave people without the money they are rightfully due and ironicly stop people getting back into work.

tomjonesrules

Arg wrote: »

The problem which some of you dopey people have missed is that part time work with irregular hours that someone trying to get off benefits might take has the potential to screw up benefit payments and leave people without the money they are rightfully due and ironicly stop people getting back into work.

At least those 'dopey' people are able to form sentences!