Voluntary work and benefits

[gyzmo]

After giving up a decent paid but hated job to go to un, got a good degree and being able to get LESS jobs than I was before I'm thinking of doing voluntary work.

If I "lost" my current job accidentally on purpose, claimed benefits and simply did voluntary work full time, would I be able to claim benefits?

I know that makes me sound like a complete sponger, but currently I am working for a corporation who's scruples are not exactly angelic. Rather then get paid £200 a week doing this, I would rather have £60 doing something to help others in genuine need.

Is this A: legally possible and B: moral?

[Gilbert_O'Sullivan]

No, you shouldn't sponge off the state.

[MrShed]

In what way is he sponging? Stop trolling.

I dont know about the legality gyzmo, but think its perfectly moral personally.

[Gilbert_O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by MrShed

In what way is he sponging? Stop trolling.

By 'losing' his job on purpose so the likes of me have to keep him with my taxes so he can go off and care for hamsters or whatever.

You stop trolling!

[gyzmo]

Hamsters? Err no. People. Those in desparate need of help but cannot afford it. That comment is, frankly, pathetic. the net benefit to society I believe would be greater than if my curent situation continues. And how is taking £140 a month less for more work "sponging"?

I repeat Mr Shed's comment on trolling.

[surprise]

Think very carefully before taking this action. My daughter is on benefits not by choice, and will be for evermore, she hates it.

If you hate your job that much and you feel you want to go into a caring profession, why not retrain into one of the healthcare professions? just a thought but putting yourself out of work is not a good idea at this time.

[389shell]

Originally Posted by Gilbert_O'Sullivan

No, you shouldn't sponge off the state.

I was just going to start a rant about trolls like you, so I read through some of your threads. LOL! Like the money saving ideas!

Gyzmo
Can you afford to live this way? If you can then go for it, just check with the powers that be that full time voluntary work is acceptable whilst actively looking for work, I'm sure they would prefer you to be sat in your armchair, watching Jeremy Kyle, drinking your cans of Special Brew and smoking your knocked off Polish fags!*

*Dig at the powers that be

[tiglet]

What sort of voluntary work were you thinking of?

[Zamzara]

The main problems with this are:

1) If you leave your job voluntarily or through misconduct, jobseeker's allowance will likely be sanctioned for 6 months.

2) If you do get JSA you will have to look for paid work.

If you are eligible for another benefit due to being a carer, lone parent, ill, or over 60 then it is perfectly legal to also do volunteer work.

[gyzmo]

That's the problem. I fall into the position of not belonging to any kind of "group" of people who, without trying to sound off, are eligible to do such things.

The voluntary work I am thinking of is working for the CAB and then of an evening working for young people and the homeless. Would also would like to run infomation seminars for the elderly, schools etc on things such as consumer rights, citizenship etc.

Alas, my experience in call centres puts a lot of potential employers & charities off, especially as it was in the private sector and not in the same categories as what I want to do.

I would just get by on the £60 / week, but what I care about most is doing something positive and helping others who would like to help themselves but cannot.

I've just spent three years at uni and cannot forsee being able or willing to go back to do something in another field. And I detest the private sector because of the way they behave.

Perhaps I should have just trained as a priest when I left school.....

[389shell]

You could get around the 'looking for paid work' by saying that you have tried in your field and nothing is happening, so you are gaining experience in another, they don't put the pressure on for a few months I believe. Hopefully, after a few months of voulnteer work, you may get paid employment in your chosen sector.

Now for how we can get you dismissed

[gyzmo]

Oooh don't worry about me getting dismissed - I'm causing a right embuggerance (love that word) in my current job and thereby providing my team leader with what must be, frankly, and as legally as possible, a good old fashioned nightmare team member! Everything I am doing and saying falls perfectly in line with the law and the company's "vision" but is getting me a good name or two (usually expletives or other colourful metaphors).

[389shell]

lol, I work with someone like that, she is a union rep too, she cracks me up at meetings! She also has a gob like a sewer which is even funnier....

[dpick]

Hi I don't know if the rules would be the same now but last year my niece was in training while on JSA and was only allowed to train for approx 16 hours a week as she had to be available for work to be allowed to continue claiming JSA.

dpick

[Zamzara]

They cannot limit the hours you can do voluntary work, as long as you are also available and looking for work to the required standard. Doing voluntary work also allows you to slightly relax how soon you can start paid work.

If you were to be dismissed for a reason other than misconduct, e.g. capability or redundancy, then JSA could not be sanctioned.

Housing benefit and council tax benefit will not be sanctioned regardless of why you leave work and regardless of whether you are available for work. Also, if you are in hardship and have no other way to survive JSA will still be paid at a highly reduced rate (£36 for a single person) regardless of sanctions.

[gyzmo]

Thanks for that. Suddenly, despite a degree, I feel a distinct inability to work my computer or have any idea of what I am talking about at work

[tiglet]

Another idea: part-time job (pub/restaurant or similar) which will pay you the same as the state (and entitle you to tax credits/housing benefit) AND a voluntary job which means you