People with lived experience bring crucial insight and expertise to charities, funders, and institutions working towards meaningful change. Yet, for people receiving benefits, being paid fairly for this vital contribution can carry significant risks—too often placed solely onto the individual.

Building on our flagship Payment for Involvement Playbook, which helps organisations establish fair payment policies, this toolkit provides concrete guidance to ensure equitable payment for involvement.

It includes practical approaches to safely paying people for co-creation, consultation, or community engagement without jeopardising their welfare benefits. All guidance is informed by our direct collaboration with communities, aligned with current Department for Work and Pensions policy, and strengthened by real-world success stories.

• • Who it’s for

    • People in receipt of welfare benefits who are being asked to take part in co-production, consultation, or community engagement and are receiving payment for their involvement.

    • Charities, funders and grassroots organisations who want to pay people with lived experience fairly, but are unsure how to navigate DWP rules.

    • Support workers, coordinators, or programme leads acting as intermediaries between individuals and Job Centres.

    • Anyone designing participation projects that involve vulnerable or marginalised groups and need to stay compliant with benefit regulations.

• • Clear guidance on communicating with the DWP and Job Centre about payment for involvement.

  • Template letters for claimants, organisations, and charities to inform Job Centres about involvement activities.

  • Sample journal notes for Universal Credit claimants to keep their work coach in the loop.

  • Key questions to ask your work coach to protect yourself and clarify your position.

  • Definitions and distinctions between employment, honorariums, expenses, and voluntary participation. All aligned with DWP language.

  • Signposts to advice services and legal sources, so you know where to turn if more support is needed.

Have us review your existing policy. We’ll flag potential problems and provide suggestions for improvements.

Get help to create a new Payment for Involvement policy tailored to your unique needs.