Can You Volunteer While Claiming Benefits?
In most cases, yes. Volunteering while receiving benefits is often allowed and can be a practical way to build skills, gain experience and stay active while looking for work. Many people find that voluntary work helps them move into paid employment later on.
That said, there are rules you need to follow. Getting these wrong could affect your benefit payments, so it is essential to understand how volunteering fits with your particular situation.
Before starting any voluntary work, speak to your work coach at your local Jobcentre Plus or contact the benefits office handling your claim. They can confirm whether the role you have in mind will cause any issues. Our free Volunteer Rights Checker is also available as a tool to help you understand your position and protections.
Not sure about your rights as a volunteer? Answer a few questions about your situation and find out where you stand on expenses, insurance, references, DBS checks, and more.
Try our Volunteer Rights Checker free, here on this site →What Counts as Volunteering?
You are generally considered a volunteer if you:
- Do not receive payment for your work, apart from expenses
- Help a non-profit organisation such as a charity, community group or social enterprise
- Are not volunteering as part of a court order or legal obligation
- Assist someone outside your immediate family
If you receive regular payments beyond genuine expenses, or if the arrangement starts to resemble employment, this could affect your benefit status. Inform your benefits advisor immediately if you receive any such payments. The distinction matters, so be clear about the terms before you begin.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Expenses and What You Can Receive
Volunteers are often reimbursed for out of pocket costs. This typically includes travel to and from your volunteering location, meals during your shift, and any equipment or protective clothing needed for the role.
Genuine expense payments should not affect your benefits. The key word is genuine. These payments must cover actual costs you have incurred, not act as a form of wage or bonus.
Some organisations may also provide:
- Training relevant to your volunteer role
- Reasonable childcare costs while you volunteer
- Membership of a volunteer scheme or recognition programme
These typically should not reduce your benefit entitlement, though unusual circumstances should always be discussed with a benefits advisor. If you receive anything that looks like regular income or a fixed weekly sum, report this to your benefits advisor. They will assess whether it affects your claim.
Volunteering and Specific Benefits
Different benefits have different rules around volunteering and availability for work. The number of hours you volunteer may also be viewed differently depending on which benefit you claim.
If you claim Universal Credit, you must still meet your work search and availability requirements. Your work coach will usually support volunteering that helps your job prospects, but you need to agree this with them first. Volunteering should not prevent you from attending interviews or taking up paid work at short notice.
For those receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, the same principle applies. You must remain available for and actively seeking work. Let your Jobcentre Plus advisor know about your volunteering plans so they can note it on your claimant commitment.
People claiming Employment and Support Allowance or Personal Independence Payment may find volunteering easier to fit around their circumstances. Volunteering does not automatically mean you are fit for work, and it should not affect these benefits in most cases. Still, check with the relevant office if you are unsure.
Benefits rules and regulations change frequently, and specific guidelines on the GOV.UK website may not always reflect the latest updates. Always consult the Department for Work and Pensions guidelines specific to your benefit type, and speak directly to your benefits office for the most current information.
Volunteering can be a useful step towards employment and offers a chance to contribute to your community. However, individual circumstances vary and some people may face additional challenges. With clear communication with your benefits advisor and proactive reporting of your volunteer activities, most people can volunteer without problems.
They complain about my fuel cost when I ask for them and say its a working committee. They have 4 staff all paid but they do nothing except tend the bar .at an event they get us to do security and clear drinks .
Is this wrong they won't explain what actual duties are of a committee member and now they want me to be a director of the place for free .I know directors don't get paid but I'm basically running the entire club and doint he work of the employees
Should I stay or leave. One other member treats me like crap and says its always been like this .without us the place will close but they refuse to hire a manager or staff to do events.
understand it , she has been told that if she does not obtain a voluntary job,
she will lose her benefits ??
I have approached a couple of Charity shops who will not employ her under
those circumstances , they don't consider her a volunteer, as she is being
forced to volunteer ?? can they take her benefits away if she refuses to take a
voluntary job ?? and how does she obtain one ??
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