Volunteering and benefits - NCVO guidance

If you are receiving state benefits you are still allowed to volunteer. However, there are some rules that you need to be aware of to make sure that your volunteering doesn’t have an impact on the benefits you receive. This guidance aims to help you start volunteering by giving an overview of what you need to know and providing some answers to some of the questions you may have before you start volunteering.

This doesn’t cover every situation and you may have questions about your individual circumstances. If you're unsure about where you stand in relation to the rules, you can contact your local Volunteer Centre, or you should speak to your job coach or benefits adviser. Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau may also be able to help.