would i get any benefits while doing

[rozia]

voluntary work.

[Hymie]

Not if the benefit is Job Seekers’ Allowance.

See here for allowable exceptions to being available for work.

http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk/jsa/available.asp

[Buenchico]

GRRRR!!!
I hate it when people link to misleading information on 'unofficial' websites!!!

As long as you remain available for work, and you're still actively seeking it, you can do as much voluntary work as you like and continue to receive JSA.

See page 17 here:
http://www.direct.gov...alasset/dg_199994.pdf

Chris

[rozia]

Thanks Chris, i am so stressed about my work issues at the moment.

[Nibble]

Chris,

As long as there is google, without self-interpretation of answers, there will always be room for the "linking to misleading information", not everybody has your dedication to true facts. :-))

[THECORBYLOON]

The DWP has a useful leaflet on this very matter http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1023.pdf

With regard to JSA there are two aspects to voluntary work a Labour Market aspect and payability. What Chris said about beaing available for employment is the Labour Market aspect but if someone CHOOSES not to be paid or is doing work that would normally be paid for, a Payment Decision Maker may decide that notional earnings should be applied as if they were being received. Folk can do unpaid work for a relative but for benefit purposes THIS IS NOT VOLUNTARY.

Best thing is, have a read of the leaflet and if there's any doubt ask the DWP or at the Jobcentre.

With regard to benefit advice in general, sites with a ".gov" in them are official Government sites and they will give correct information and advice as oposed to unoffical ones which sometimes give misleading advice.

[tonywiltshire]

You can do voluntary work and claim JSA; you would be excluded from JSA if you were doing remunerative work of 16 hours per week or over on average. The DWP definition of voluntary work is, without legal obligation, performs a service for a person or organisation without expectation of payment.

But think long and hard before giving up a paid job for a voluntary position where you will only receive expenses.

[pdust]

Its more the other way round rozia, you claim benefits for being available for work and do whatever voluntary work you want while claiming. You have to inform them and have to fill a form in that asks if you are available for work immediately/24 hours/48 hours and other similar questions. I think so long as you are available within 24 hours you can still get your benefit. I just ticked immediately and still got mine.

[pdust]

oh forgot to say you have still got to prove you are looking for work and attend the interviews and stuff

[EDDIE51]

You can get contribution based JSA for 26 weeks , after that you have to prove you need it due to low income, as your partner works you would not get JSA after your 26 weeks is up.
But your partner can claim working tax credit and child tax credit as long as he works 16 hrs a week or more. This is adjusted according to the total family income so if the income drops due to you leaving work , the tax credit goes up , fill in details of your total family income on the calculater I posted on your other question, both with and without you working, and you will see what you can get in both cases. Remember to take off the cost of travel to work as this can make a significant diffrence to total available income.