In benefits and tax credits ‘work’ is defined as an activity you undertake in return for payment. Payment can be in cash or in kind but must be reasonable for the work undertaken.

For the purposes of tax credits, being on Statutory Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Adoption Leave and receiving Statutory Sick Pay are all counted as remunerative work.

People who are not regarded as doing remunerative work include:

• Students
• Student nurses
• People who work as volunteers for a charity or voluntary sector organisation
• Carers who are only rewarded under the ‘Rent a Room’ scheme
• Trainees on schemes that only pay them an allowance or expenses
• People in receipt of a sports award and no other income