Working for free for my family's business

revvans

Thank you t0rt0ise. We live in a flat above the shop, which is also owned by my mother. She doesn't live there though. She has her own house.
I looked at the DWP website and came to the same conclusion that you came to- please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that we would have to be living as a member of her household before I would be able to do that rather than simply living in her property and working in her business. ie. as an au pair or somesuch.

paddedjohn

t0rt0ise wrote: »

You wouldn't get away with being a volunteer. There's a strict definition and you wouldn't be it. You also can only say you are working for the family business if you live with your mother. If you don't then that won't work. So be careful.

If the OP isnt seeking to claim any benefits then surely they dont have to answer to anyone and can work for free if they so choose.

pearl123

OP.. as far as I'm aware their is no reason why you can't work for free. However, by working for my parents for free I missed out on building my own future and savings, but I saved them the drama of changing their lifestyle in older age. It also meant they did not have to claim benefits. It did save them some trauma, as I don't think they'd have adapted too well to change. My mum admitted as much to me years later. They just could not earn properly any more without my free help.
OP do you have caring resonsibilities for your parents at all?