Disability and Voluntary work

Hi All

Just a quick question and any help would be much appreciated.

I am currently on Higher Rate Mobility, Middle Rate Care and ESA.

I have been asked to be a moderator of a voluntary group, working from home with no travel whatsoever. It may be as long as an hour a day or as short as 15 minutes depending on how accurate the posts are and how many people have asked to join the group that day. Would doing this affect my benefits? Sometimes I am too honest for my own good and if I were asked straight out if I was doing any work I would probably say yes :o

Any advice would be gratefully received.
Ria :dance:

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
Charles M. Schulz
Wins since January 2014 Naked Wines - 6 bottles, Good Reads - Book

Comments

  • tomtontom
    tomtontom Posts: 7,929 Forumite
    As long as it does not contradict your reasons for claiming benefits you will be fine.
  • RiaMac_2
    RiaMac_2 Posts: 99 Forumite
    Thank you tomtontom. My reasons for claiming DLA are I am barely able to walk as I have arthritis in my spine and have epilepsy which even after having for many, many years still cannot be controlled. These happen around 3 times a week so I need to be supervised constantly and certainly would find it very difficult to work. I get very little or any warning, that a fit is on it's way so apart from being embarrassing for me it could be distressing for everyone else.

    I know that the government is clamping down on claimants and was worried that this work would mean I would have my DLA revoked at my next review.

    Many thanks for taking the time to reply. :beer:
    Ria :dance:

    All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
    Charles M. Schulz
    Wins since January 2014 Naked Wines - 6 bottles, Good Reads - Book
  • rogerblack
    rogerblack Posts: 9,446 Forumite
    In terms of ESA - you need to inform them that you will be doing this, and get it appoved as permitted work.
    If you are never earning more than 20 pounds a week, it will not affect your ESA, and you can do this for an unlimited period.
  • RiaMac_2
    RiaMac_2 Posts: 99 Forumite
    Thank you rogerblack. I will phone the Jobcentre tomorrow and let them know. Hopefully this will be permitted work and as I will never be earning anything by doing this job it will not affect my benefits.

    Many thanks for your reply. :beer:
    Ria :dance:

    All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.
    Charles M. Schulz
    Wins since January 2014 Naked Wines - 6 bottles, Good Reads - Book
  • pmlindyloo
    pmlindyloo Posts: 13,049
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Forumite
    This is not Permitted work as it is not being paid.

    You need to advise them that you are doing voluntary work.

    It should not affect your benefits.

    See here:

    https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility
  • rogerblack
    rogerblack Posts: 9,446 Forumite
    pmlindyloo wrote: »
    This is not Permitted work as it is not being paid.

    You need to advise them that you are doing voluntary work.

    Indeed - if the position is purely voluntary and would never be paid.
    I misread.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 342.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 249.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 234.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 172.8K Life & Family
  • 247.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.8K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards