ESA & PIP - Voluntary work.

unknown21

Hello,
I just wanted to write this message to warn others who claim Esa (Support group) and PIP (both components at standard rate) and are thinking of doing voluntary work.

I have a mental illness, which is chronic and severe. I have been trapped in the benefit system for over 18 years. Even though I am incredibly grateful for the money I receive.
After recently receiving intense treatment with a psychologist and a support worker for over a year and also being prescribed the right medication that helps my mood I wanted to try some voluntary work. What the GOV.UK website tells you about volunteering when claiming benefits is not accurate and misleading.
I have let both PIP and ESA departments know that I'm doing voluntary work.

ESA: They have told me that  I am only entitled to do 16 hours a week. Anything over that would mean I'm fit for work. Even though 90 percent of the work would be training on a laptop at home. I have no issue being at home. So the idea that I would be fit for work if I go over 16 hours is ridiculous and completely shortsighted.
They have sent me a long form to fill out and they can decide whether I can do the voluntary work or not. The GOV website says that doing voluntary work will not trigger an assessment. I will believe it when I see it.

PIP: I wrote to PIP and told them that I was going to be doing voluntary work. They have rang twice at random times and I have missed their call. As this has made me anxious I decided to call the number relating to pip.
After being on hold for over an hour, I finally got through to someone. I gave them the security info and told them all of the above. He said to me that someone was phoning me about a change in my circumstances. I said that there is no change in my circumstances and that all I'm doing is testing whether I can cope with volunteering. I said that I won't know until I try.

Why is the system designed to punish anyone who wants to try to better themselves. I will not know if I'm able to cope with volunteering until I try. Surely it's not only better for me, but also for the tax payer if I eventually come off benefits. People are scared to better themselves or even try because of the exact situation I have described above. People should not be penalised or punished for trying. I am now incredibly anxious that my benefits will be stopped. I'm struggling to sleep and also eat. The benefit system needs to change. There should be a trial period for people who want to volunteer without it affecting their benefits. Instead of looking forward to volunteering I now feel complete dread about what the benefit system will say.
Please be careful when thinking of volunteering as the benefit system makes the whole thing  incredibly stressful and anxiety provoking.

poppy123456

You don't need to tell PIP that you're starting work, whether it's paid or voluntary. Providing the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claiming it. Lots of people work and claim PIP and it's not a change of circumstances. When you ring them to report this, yes they can take it as a change of circumstances which could prompt them to send more forms out to you.

For ESA, it's called permitted work. Whether it's paid or voluntary, you must tell DWP that you're working and you must make sure you work less than 16 hours per week, even for voluntary work. If you work 16 hours or more per week then your ESA ends. I don't think you're being punished, it's just the rules. You must also fill out the PW1 form.  See link. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/permitted-work-rules

unknown21

The GOV.UK website does not explain this accurately. It says that if you claim ESA you can volunteer for as many hours as you like. Also, the rules need to change in my opinion. They are anxiety provoking and make people afraid to try volunteering. There are also lots of other rules that you must comply with and it causes anxiety and uncertainty. The PW1 form asks lots of questions. Certainly more than if you are going to work over 16 hours. I have been in the benefit system for a long time and I don't trust the system at all. This is my opinion and it's based entirely on my experience with the benefit system.

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and views with us @unknown21. I can hear how it causes anxiety and uncertainty.

Is there anything that might help to reduce the anxiety and uncertainty? Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to help 

2oldcodgers

poppy123456 said:

You don't need to tell PIP that you're starting work, whether it's paid or voluntary. Providing the work you do doesn't contradict the reasons why you're claiming it. Lots of people work and claim PIP and it's not a change of circumstances. When you ring them to report this, yes they can take it as a change of circumstances which could prompt them to send more forms out to you.

For ESA, it's called permitted work. Whether it's paid or voluntary, you must tell DWP that you're working and you must make sure you work less than 16 hours per week, even for voluntary work. If you work 16 hours or more per week then your ESA ends. I don't think you're being punished, it's just the rules. You must also fill out the PW1 form.  See link. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/permitted-work-rules

PIP I agree that there is nothing within the DWP rule book regarding voluntary work. However their general guidance
Volunteering and claiming benefits - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 
says that you must notify them if you volunteer. 
ESA Likewise the above guidance also covers ESA. Additional guidance also says that there is no limit to the hours you spend volunteering.

The Permitted Work rules seem only to apply to paid work.