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Q. I recently lost my job and have spare time available
so am thinking of volunteering. Will my Jobseeker’s Benefit payment
be affected?
06.06.11
Voluntary work is a good way to keep active, learn new skills and
get involved in your local community. You may do some unpaid work as
a volunteer and keep your social welfare payment. However, you must
continue to meet all the conditions attached to your payment (which
include the requirement that you are available and looking for
work).
The Deciding Officer at your Social Welfare Local Office will
usually decide whether you can keep your social welfare payment and
work as a volunteer. Factors taken into account include: The aims
and standing of the voluntary organisation (they can be national or
local voluntary groups); The type of work involved; The weekly
number of hours worked
Examples of unpaid voluntary work you could do includes assisting
youth clubs, care groups, sports groups, church groups and local
residents’ associations. If you want to do voluntary work and keep
your payment you must apply under the voluntary work option before
you start the work. To apply, fill in application form (VW1), which
is available from your Social Welfare Local Office.
2011 is the European Year of Volunteering and there will be many
events around the country to celebrate and promote volunteering.
Visit the website at eyv2011.ie to find out more about the year. You
can also contact
www.volunteeringireland.ie and
www.volunteer.ie to find out about volunteering opportunities or
look at the Activelink website
www.activelink.ie .
Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741
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