Volunteering

PippaGirl_2

Two questions.

1) Are there any restrictions to the number of hours a week you can volunteer for a week when on means tested benefits such as IR ESA, and does any expenses you receive affect means tested benefits? If so, which benefits?

2) If someone was on ESA and managed to find a voluntary position that was flexible enough to be able to go on good days and not go on bad days, would the fact that they are doing some voluntary work imply to the DWP that they are capable of work and might encourage the DWP to turn down ESA and want them on JSA?

Charityworker

As far as I know there is permitted work. But someone who knows more about it will hopefully be along as I would like to know more about the ins and outs of it.

pmlindyloo

I think you need to clear this with your adviser.

It is obvious to me (as a volunteer) that volunteering is a totally different ball game to being employed not least because, as you say, you can attend on your good days and not go in on your bad days.


Personally I think volunteering is an excellent way of keeping your mind active, socialising etc etc


I am only suggesting that you ask about it before you do it because in this present climate anything can happen!

PippaGirl_2

I don't have an advisor as I'm in the ESA support group. Atm I barely leave the house (have panic attacks and anxiety, about to start one-to-one therapy within CMHT) but my social worker has mentioned that we might look at Voluntary work at some point when I can so I was just wondering how that might affect me when/if the time comes.

Charityworker

I'm a manager of volunteers. We had an incident recently when a volunteer said they were bi polar, couldn't leave the house, didn't like mixing with people etc. I did wonder at the time how we was going to volunteer in a busy community centre but he said he would be ok. And he was. But the benefit fraud people were watching him and said he couldn't possibly have all the problems he said he has and stopped his money.

PippaGirl_2

Well that answers the questions then, useful to know.

Charityworker

PippaGirl wrote: »

Well that answers the questions then, useful to know.

Well that might not apply to everyone.

zaksmum

I know someone who was on an sickness benefit, don't know which one though, and did a bit of voluntary work.

Next thing he was called in for a medical and the interviewer said that if he could do voluntary work he can do any work, and his sickness benefit was stopped.