Volunteering and the Right To Try Guarantee

Landmark legislation aims to make it easier for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore work or volunteering without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

For many people claiming disability or health-related benefits, taking the first step towards employment can feel risky. A new job may offer opportunities, financial independence and a sense of purpose, but concerns about what could happen to benefit payments can make trying work feel like too much of a gamble.

Research from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that more than a third of disabled people and people with health conditions who want to work said they were held back by concerns about losing their benefits.

The legislation also provides reassurance for people who want to volunteer. Volunteering will not automatically trigger a benefit reassessment, making it easier for people to get involved in their communities, develop new skills and build confidence at their own pace.

For some people, volunteering can be an important step towards employment. It can provide recent experience, opportunities to learn new skills, social connections and a chance to discover what kind of work might be manageable or enjoyable.

Will volunteering affect my benefits?

No. Volunteering should not affect your benefits if you follow these rules:

Money:

• You should only get money to pay you back for what you spend for volunteering, like travel costs.
• You must not get extra money.

Job search rules:

• If you have a claimant commitment, you can include volunteering if your work coach agrees.

• Volunteering can help you get skills, experience and references, and can count for up to half of your job search time.

If you have limited ability to work:

If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says you have “limited capability for work”, you can still volunteer. But:

• Only do tasks you are able to do. Make sure your volunteering doesn’t go against the reasons you got the benefit.
• Choose roles that help your health and wellbeing.
• Make sure the DWP understands what your role involves, how much support and flexibility you need.
• If you want to try something to test your ability to do tasks in a safe and predictable way, make sure the DWP understands this.
• Note that the new, “‘Right to Try’ does not stop reassessments happening for other reasons.”

What does the UK Government (DWP) say?

The UK Government web site says:

“Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new. It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

“You can volunteer while receiving benefits as long as you continue to meet all the conditions of your benefit."

Take a look at gov.uk/guidance/volunteering-and-claiming-benefits where many additional questions have been answered by DWP.

Is Volunteering included in the new “Right to Try” Guarantee?

Yes. The UK Government’s ‘Right to Try’ is for anyone that receives:

• Universal Credit (UC) who have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA);
• or New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA) who have been placed in the Work Related Activity Group or the Support Group;
• or Adult Disability Payment (the equivalent of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland).

“Volunteering will not, on its own, lead to a reassessment of a benefit award.”

Click here to read the UK Government’s summary of ‘Right to Try’

News/Events Categories:

Share your news/events

Sign up to our e-bulletins

Sign up for e-bulletins now