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The benefits barrier

13 September 2005
Benefits and tax credits briefing cover

The benefits barrier - What impact do welfare benefits have on volunteering? [ 160 kb]

A study of Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers and clients.

Executive summary

The study

One of the barriers to volunteering that has long been identified for people who receive welfare benefits is the perception that volunteering adversely affects their benefits.

However, many of the studies and reports that have noted concerns regarding this have focused on particular target groups and been based on qualitative analysis and anecdotal evidence. The aims of this survey, therefore, were to provide a more quantitative analysis of the impact welfare benefits has on volunteering at a broader level, and to suggest how improvements could be made to enable more people on benefits to volunteer.