“Right to Try” and Volunteering
UK Government Policy Update: What We Know So Far
“Will volunteering affect my benefits?” It may soon be possible for everyone to answer that question for all social security claimants in Glasgow with a “no” for the first time (albeit with some additional info re the rules).
While volunteering does not usually impact benefits, claimants need to be aware of the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) rules on, for example, legitimate out-of-pocket expenses – or how volunteering can be included in claimant commitments.
However, many people whose claims have been subject to DWP work capability assessments due to disability or health conditions (up to 280,000 people across Scotland in 2022) have been very wary of volunteering – understandably; even after seeing a restricted DWP policy statement that was provided in 2021*.
With our colleagues across the TSI Scotland Network, the Volunteer Scotland/VAP Policy Champions Network, Glasgow Disability Alliance, and many others, we have been calling for the inclusion of Volunteering in the new UK Government ‘Right to Try’ Guarantee. Click here to see the Gov.UK press release: “Barriers to work removed for…” (9 April)
We cautiously welcome this as a positive step while we await more detailed information about how the new DWP approach will work in practice.
We will update you on the details when we get them and update our published guidance.
Thank you! We would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone with whom we have been working since 2013 to clarify DWP rules on volunteering for claimants and to address the policy issues that present a barrier to people volunteering.
