Volunteering and Unemployed

If you are in receipt of payments from the Department of Social Protection due to being unemployed or disabled,
you can absolutely volunteer – in fact it can be very beneficial to you personally to get involved in volunteering.

It is true there are some criteria that may apply, and occasionally some volunteers are given mistaken information about volunteering and being unemployed.

People who are in receipt of Jobseeker supports can do certain forms of voluntary work without losing their Unemployment Assistance/Unemployment Benefit and other entitlements while remaining on the live register.
However, the individual must still meet the conditions for receiving their unemployment benefit, i.e., you must be actively seeking work and available to take up work as soon as an opportunity arises.
Volunteers should be aware that full-time volunteering may affect availability for work, impacting entitlements.

Voluntary organisations wishing to engage individuals in receipt of Social Welfare must have approval from the individual’s local employment exchange. The organisation must complete an application form (VW1), which can be obtained from the local office of the Department of Social Protection or here.

A number of factors are considered by a Deciding Officer to determine whether the work is voluntary and whether the person continues to meet conditions for JA receipt, including:

• The aims and standing of the voluntary organisation
• The nature of the work involved and weekly number of hours worked
• The work must be truly voluntary and not normally warrant PRSI liability

The Voluntary Work Option includes a wide variety of voluntary activities, e.g., assisting the elderly, sick, or handicapped, or supporting youth clubs and resident associations. To apply, complete form VW1 and submit it to the relevant Local Office before commencing the voluntary work.

Illness Benefit or Disability Benefit

If you are receiving illness or disability benefit, you may engage in unpaid work, work as part of treatment while a patient, or charitable work, as long as weekly earnings are below a certain limit.

You must first get permission from the Department of Social Protection before doing any work. Contact 1890 66 22 44 (Disability Allowance section) or your local office.

Invalidity Pension

A person receiving an invalidity pension may volunteer with prior written permission from a Department officer. Contact 1890 66 22 44 or your local office for details.

All information in this fact-sheet is taken from the Department of Social Protection website. For queries, please contact the Department directly.

The benefits of volunteering while unemployed

1. Gain Job Experience: Volunteer experience enhances a resume and may lead to paid work in a similar field.
2. Improve Your Health and Self-Esteem: Helping others can reduce stress, give hope, and boost self-esteem.
3. Meet Real Community Needs: Volunteering addresses needs like literacy, basic necessities, and environmental improvements.
4. Gain New Skills and Develop Talents: Any interest, such as working with computers, children, or seniors, can be developed through volunteering.
5. Potential Employers: Volunteering demonstrates commitment, work routine familiarity, and active skill use to potential employers.

If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.