Volunteering for Social Welfare recipients
Summary: if you are getting a social welfare payment and would like to volunteer, complete the VW1 form (PDF), and bring it to your local Social Welfare office.
Most people who are collecting social welfare payments are encouraged to volunteer through what is called the ‘Voluntary Work Option’.
Volunteering is encouraged by the social welfare authorities, however it is important to tell your local social welfare office that you plan on doing voluntary work.
For some payments, especially the Jobseeker’s Allowance and Benefit, the social welfare authorities need to make sure that you are still available and looking for work.
Before undertaking voluntary work, it is important to fill out a form (download this form in PDF format) and bring it to your local Social Welfare office, so they can approve you to do voluntary work.