Volunteer Work - JSA - JSB - IB

foxinsox

Just wondering about people's experience if they have done any volunteer work while receiving any of the above Social Welfare Payments.

I work in a position where we have volunteers working = no pay!
It is a registered charity.

It seems that over the past few months that some volunteers who have filled in all necessary paperwork seem to be getting payments stopped.

I am not saying all volunteers, but some have left their voluntary position because of the amount of interviews/forms they have been asked to do. While being given the go ahead by SW and then a conflicting letter a few weeks later.

As regards Illness Benefits, some were given permission (in writing) to do this volunteer work - helpful for getting back on the ladder towards full time employment.

Then within weeks are called for medical assessments, three have had their payments stopped as a result of these medical assessments. Although they had previously been given permission to work.

I find this all very strange. Voluntary work is fantastic for the charity and really helps. It is in my experience also good for the person doing the voluntary work.

I can't understand that when there are so few jobs out there, why is it becoming so difficult for someone who actually wants to get out of the house and be part of their community?

By the way, any of the volunteers on JSB or JSA are actively looking for work and would gladly take paid work. There is no problem whatsoever with volunteers leaving at any stage to go to an interview or leaving with very short (or none) notice to take up a paid job!

I'd be interested to hear people's opinions/experiences of this.

eastbono

t & c for voluntary work

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/JobseekersVoluntaryWorkOption.aspx


If your volunteers come within these guidelines they should appeal decisons.

foxinsox

I give anybody interested in volunteering the website address..
I also have those volunteering guidelines printed out and on the notice board..




As far as I can see the volunteers do qualify within those T & C.
But I would not know all personal details about each case.

It has been hard recently when some volunteer staff have been really upset in work over this and have been in tears leaving.

I have told them to appeal and I would write any letters needed to confirm the hours/type of work they were doing.

If someone is on Illness Benefit and is using a volunteer position to try and get back into the swing of working, something like interviews and forms can just knock all their new-found confidence out of them and they can't cope with the stress.

eastbono

They need to appeal these decisions. You need to let them know that they can appeal the decison.

Maybe just maybe there is something they are not telling you.