More information about benefits
What is Employment & Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance: This is a new benefit which was introduced on 27 October 2008. The ESA replaces both Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid because of disability or incapacity. (Incapacity Benefit and Income Support will continue to be paid to existing claimants; new claimants will receive ESA).
The new regulations on Employment and Support Allowance clearly state that claimants will be allowed to volunteer. The regulations also recognise that reasonable expenses can be reimbursed to claimants who volunteer.
Other benefits that you should notify your relevant agency about
If you receive Severe Disablement Allowance, Allowance Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) it’s also a good idea to notify the relevant agency before you start volunteering. (ICA is not affected by volunteering unless it prevents you providing care for at least 35 hours each week).
Benefits not affected by volunteering
There are some benefits that are not affected by volunteering and where the relevant agencies do not need to be informed that the person is volunteering. These include: State Retirement Pension, Council Tax benefit, Housing Benefit, Statutory Maternity pay, Maternity Allowance, War Widow's Pension and Widow's Pension.
If you receive Incapacity Benefit or Employment & Support Allowance then you should contact your local Benefit Delivery Centre to ensure that the nature of your volunteering role won’t affect your benefits. You can call the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 to find out where your local Benefit Delivery Centre is.