You can volunteer whilst your claim is considered without being granted permission to work. It is Home Office policy to support asylum seekers volunteering for charities or public sector organisations. However, this must not amount to engagement as an ‘employee’ or a ‘worker’, and it is your responsibility and the responsibility of the organisation you are volunteering for to check that such activity does not mean you are working in breach of conditions.

Volunteers may be reimbursed for expenses incurred whilst volunteering, for example, for travel and food but you should not receive any other payment. If any other payment is received the role may be classed as an employee or worker. Working or being employed by a charity or voluntary organisation is subject to the same restrictions as employment in other sectors. Genuine volunteering roles are not subject to these restrictions.