§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what loss of benefit is applied by the Benefits Agency on service users who voluntarily assist NHS trusts as a result of being in receipt of out-of-pocket expenses; what plans he has to instruct the Benefits Agency to disregard out-of-pocket expenses received by volunteers assisting NHS trusts from calculations for means-tested benefits; what assessment he has made of the Benefit Agency's rules for eligibility for means-tested benefits on the willingness of service users voluntarily to assist NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [53305]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe rules for volunteers already ensure that people do not lose benefit where they are undertaking genuine voluntary work.
There are no specific instructions to Jobcentre Plus or The Pension Service staff about volunteers who help NHS trusts. However, the treatment of volunteers in the benefit system is clearly set out in benefit legislation and in guidance to staff.
People of working age can do unlimited voluntary work without it affecting their benefit, as long as the usual entitlement conditions are met. Cases are decided on an 577W individual basis according to the regulations, and people are required to report their participation in voluntary work.
Payments made to people for expenses incurred while undertaking voluntary work are disregarded in full. However, any payment made on top of that may bring into question the person's status as a volunteer. If the Decision Maker finds that the person is not a volunteer, then they are subject to the normal rules regarding work and earnings.