 The cost of lunch is considered to be additional income |
A charity is warning that thousands of people on benefits will stop volunteering because they can no longer claim lunch as an expense. The government has made it clear that the cost of lunch is regarded as additional income, and so cannot be claimed by people on benefits.
But Volunteering England say this is grossly unfair, and will drive people away from working in the voluntary sector.
It is launching a campaign to try and change the government's policy.
Until recently, charities believed that people on benefits were able to claim reasonably incurred expenses, such as lunch.
But the Department for Work and Pensions has clarified, by means of a new booklet, that people on benefit would not normally be able to claim the cost of lunch.
Volunteering England said this is unfair, especially since volunteers in fulltime work can still be reimbursed.
But the department said benefits are designed to meet daily living expenses including food, and that additional income should be declared.
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