32. One of our volunteers is having problems with the benefits office because of their volunteering; what can we do?

Occasionally a volunteer will have problems convincing their benefits adviser that they are volunteering and not working. If this is the case be prepared to talk to the worker for them and send information about what you do and what the volunteer is doing for you. If they are having a lot of problems then it may be worthwhile using an Expenses Record Form (we have a one we can send out) to record exactly what money the volunteer is getting and to show that it is a reimbursement rather than a payment. Remember volunteers on benefits do not routinely have to present the benefits office with a record of their expenses so it does not make sense to make all volunteers record their expenses this way. However it is a useful tool if an individual benefits officer is suspicious about whether expenses really are an actual reimbursement.