Paid volunteering an IR ESA

Greetings,

I’m on IR ESA in the Support Group. I’d like some advice on payments I am starting to receive from volunteering.

I’ve recently volunteered to get involved with my local NHS foundation trust. At the induction day we were told that we would receive various payments depending on the opportunity. In addition to travel reimbursement, we would be paid £20 for short events and £40 for longer ones. We could also receive additional payments if we did higher level involvement, such as sitting on interview panels, co-facilitating a workshop etc.

We were informed that to make these payments we would be set up on the payroll and it would be paid into our bank account. It would also be taxed at source which would later need to be reclaimed if you are not paying income tax. The said we need to speak to our benefits office about the payments, as the payroll side of it would flag up to DWP that we are receiving an income.

I’m aware there are permitted work rules and I would hit the weekly earnings limits based on this given the opportunities are sporadic. Does this even class as permitted work? It’s not work as such although I do receive an income from it it is not National Living Wage.

I need some advice on how and when to contact DWP about this so that is doesn’t affect my claim. To be honest the way the trust is doing this is creating a headache and seems overkill, but it does mean to continue being involved with the trust (which is positive for my personal development) that I have to go along with this.

If you could give me some guidance or point to where I could get help with this I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

ka