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Volunteering whilst on ESA support
- Jo
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7 years 1 week ago #187018 by Jo
Volunteering whilst on ESA support was created by Jo
Hi there, can you volunteer whilst on ESA support for illness/disability? I have started training and want to do about 4 hours a week.
For me this is entirely different to the demands of a job. But I appreciate that it may be seen in a negative light. I've just been assessed by DWP and they didn't ask so I didn't mention it.
What's the best thing to do. I have a plethora of health problems. But, I force myself to do this to help me stay on top mentally.
For me this is entirely different to the demands of a job. But I appreciate that it may be seen in a negative light. I've just been assessed by DWP and they didn't ask so I didn't mention it.
What's the best thing to do. I have a plethora of health problems. But, I force myself to do this to help me stay on top mentally.
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7 years 1 week ago #187039 by Gordon
You can but there are some caveats that you need to be aware of.
- You must notify the DWP and they must agree to you doing this.
- Whilst your starting voluntary work should have no impact on your claim, if it is believed that your doing this is in direct contradiction to the reasons why you are in the ESA Support Group then is may trigger an early reassessment of your claim.
- The next time you are assessed, those doing the assessment will be aware of you doing the voluntary work and may make assumptions about your capabilities.
- Voluntary work has a very specific definition, for example not receiving payment for the work may not be enough to qualify you. Typically I would expect you to have to be working for a registered charity.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Volunteering whilst on ESA support
Jo wrote: Hi there, can you volunteer whilst on ESA support for illness/disability? I have started training and want to do about 4 hours a week.
For me this is entirely different to the demands of a job. But I appreciate that it may be seen in a negative light. I've just been assessed by DWP and they didn't ask so I didn't mention it.
What's the best thing to do. I have a plethora of health problems. But, I force myself to do this to help me stay on top mentally.
You can but there are some caveats that you need to be aware of.
- You must notify the DWP and they must agree to you doing this.
- Whilst your starting voluntary work should have no impact on your claim, if it is believed that your doing this is in direct contradiction to the reasons why you are in the ESA Support Group then is may trigger an early reassessment of your claim.
- The next time you are assessed, those doing the assessment will be aware of you doing the voluntary work and may make assumptions about your capabilities.
- Voluntary work has a very specific definition, for example not receiving payment for the work may not be enough to qualify you. Typically I would expect you to have to be working for a registered charity.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Jo
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7 years 1 week ago #187081 by Jo
Replied by Jo on topic Volunteering whilst on ESA support
Thanks Gordon, really helpful information. The organisation I'm volunteering for is the Citizens Advice Bureau. During my assessment it was not something I felt relevant to tell them. I have just been assessed in person and am awaiting the results of this assessment.
Do you know of any cases where someone in the ESA support group has been able to volunteer for say 4 hours a week? I will have to give it up if I feel they would see it as a contradiction. My responses to both the assessment and paper assessment explained the nature of my various conditions means I am exhausted and in chronic pain etc and therefore have to work round that. I didn't say I never leave the house or do anything. All questions they asked I explained that I was answering them as if it were my worst day. They didn't probe much more after that.
Do you know of any cases where someone in the ESA support group has been able to volunteer for say 4 hours a week? I will have to give it up if I feel they would see it as a contradiction. My responses to both the assessment and paper assessment explained the nature of my various conditions means I am exhausted and in chronic pain etc and therefore have to work round that. I didn't say I never leave the house or do anything. All questions they asked I explained that I was answering them as if it were my worst day. They didn't probe much more after that.
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- Gordon
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7 years 1 week ago #187085 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Volunteering whilst on ESA support
Jo
DWP policy on volunteering has changed, they used not to require notification if the claimant was doing volunteer work, now they do and it may harm your claim if you do not inform them.
We do have members who do volunteer work and Permitted Work in both the WRAG and the SG.
Gordon
DWP policy on volunteering has changed, they used not to require notification if the claimant was doing volunteer work, now they do and it may harm your claim if you do not inform them.
We do have members who do volunteer work and Permitted Work in both the WRAG and the SG.
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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