Wage subsidy in a charity shop

sellasheep

I am on Disability and volunteer in a charity shop a few days a week. My manager told me today that I may be eligible for the wage subsidy scheme. I don't see how this is possible given that it is offered to employers and I am not an employee of the charity shop but rather an unpaid volunteer?

sellasheep

Anyone?

RobbingBandit

Some info here you may find helpful, ask in your local citizens information too as they maybe able to advise better than the link.

https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Wage-Subsidy-Scheme_holder_3176.aspx

njs030

Have you been given written permission to do voluntary work while claiming a disability payment? If not I'd be careful about calling and saying that you've been doing it!

sellasheep

I have obtained written permission from the charity shop some months back

njs030

sellasheep wrote: »

I have obtained written permission from the charity shop some months back

You need written permission from social welfare not the charity shop.

Conall Cernach

You need permission from the Department of Social Protection to take up voluntary work if you are on a disability payment.

"In most cases you need permission to take up rehabilitative work, voluntary work or training. This permission is sometimes called an exemption. Exemptions are always granted for a specific period of time. At the end of that period you must re-apply.

In general, if you are getting a means-tested payment your income from work will be assessed in the means test. However some of your income from work is not assessed. "

More info here:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_and_work/disability_payments_and_work.html

sellasheep

Let me clarify - I notified the department that I was working in a charity shop. They asked for a letter from the shop to confirm this.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

Do you work at least 21 hours in the shop and is the shop willing to take you on as an employee and pay you the difference in wage and PRSI etc?

sellasheep

I work 21 hours but the shop are unwilling to take me on as an employee. I just want to apply for the subsidy anyway and see what happens.

pl4ichjgy17zwd

You have to have a contract of employment to apply

gipi

sellasheep wrote: »

I work 21 hours but the shop are unwilling to take me on as an employee. I just want to apply for the subsidy anyway and see what happens.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme is applied for and paid to the employer, not an employee.