Volunteering and Benefits

The relationship between volunteering and state benefits is often in a state of flux and confusion. Within the last month, I've met more than one potential volunteer worrying about affecting their benefit and they “know the 16 hour rule”. 

 

Currently the DWP is clear that there is no such rule, although individual staff members may be less clear. As Universal Credit approaches, there has been some alarm in the sector about a possible 17.5 hour limit. This comes from an expectation that work-ready claimants will pursue work or work preparation on a full time basis, usually 35 hours/week and although volunteering time can be deducted, it's limited to 50%.

 

As someone with experience of volunteering, job seeking and volunteer management, I'd comment: 

•          16 or 17.5 hours/week volunteering is fairly rare
•           Serious job seeking can be quite time consuming. (EG: Looking at one of my old application forms prepared in Word shows nearly 4 hours of editing time – and it resulted in an interview) 

So, regardless of what the law might say, I'd suggest that most out of paid work job seekers might be wise to restrict their volunteering to around half time.

 

It's a point of view that doesn't sit easily with stories of job seekers being compelled to work 30 hours a week in charity shops for 6 months.  The Job Centre still don't understand and value volunteering - I recently met a Personal Adviser who disapproved of his customers finding their own volunteering assignments. He would like a system where they were sent to an approved supplier who would allocate a volunteer role for them.

 

I fear there's a culture clash – the sector understands and celebrates choice and taking responsibility while the Job Centre struggles to get away from the idea that customers are incompetent, work-shy and need compulsory guidance.