voluntary work

[homerbart]

Anybody know if you are retired but receiving some benefits - can you do voluntary work without losing your benefits. I received a form to fill in re vol work and it is asking questions like are you retired do you get dla do you get income support and all the rest of it.

[banjobabe]

Hey Homebart,

You should be able to do voluntary work as it is unpaid and therefore would not affect your benefits.

BB xx

[homerbart]

why are the forms asking me about the benefits then - you are afraid to step out of line I am telling ye

[homerbart]

Wizard 66 - what voluntary work did you enjoy. I have absolutely no idea what I would like to commit to.

One of the things I would like to be (I think) is to work in drop-in centre for the homeless. I do live in Belfast but last time cuppla years ago I put my name for the homeless place and they never contacted me.

What did you enjoy

[Ice.Maiden]

Seems like the only reason you're being asked to declare any voluntary work, is because if you were under retirement age and receiving certain benefits, your work could be seen as being unavailable for a paid job. This could just be a standard form which you were required to fill in, and could effect a younger person's benefits - but I doubt it includes you, since you're over retirement age.

[homerbart]

ice maiden - I am not an OAP - just in early 50s - I was medically retired so dont know if my benefits would be affected.

[homerbart]

can anybody reach Wizard66 and ask him to go into Homerbart Voluntary work - at Chatterbank

[THECORBYLOON]

What benefits are you on?

[Skreecheeboy]

If you're medically retired and you're able to do voluntary work, the DSS will deem you as being able to work. Just depends how much voluntary work you do and what the reasons for being medically retired are whether or not you can still do it.

[THECORBYLOON]

Sorry but you're not correct, you can get Incapacity Benefit and do paid work at the same time without it affecting the benefiit.

[daffy654]

If you are in reciept of incapacity benefit and you take up voluntary work most likely your benefit will be stopped. They assume that if you are fit enough to do any type of work then you are fit enough to work for a wage.

[THECORBYLOON]

Please have a look here, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Fin ancialSupport/DG_10020667