Fair Payment for Involvement

A guide for participants and organisations

It is good practice for organisations to offer payment for involvement in events, meetings, coproduction, and research. This is one way in which you can be rewarded for the time, skills, and expertise that you contribute. Paying people for their involvement helps to support more equal partnerships between the traditional ‘professionals’ (in this context ‘professionals’ could be paid staff, researchers, or companies who will gain from using your information) and members of the public.

“It helps to support the inclusion of people who might not otherwise be able to get involved, whether for financial or other reasons relating to access. Consequently, it widens the potential pool of people who might influence” (NIHR 2024).

Payment for involvement: Why is this important?

Co-production, where everyone contributes in an equal and reciprocal partnership, recognises that no one group, or person is more important. It moves away from traditional models where ‘staff and professionals know best’ and creates opportunities for experts by experience and people with lived experience; making sure that everyone has the same opportunity to participate fully.

Consider these examples. There is a strategy meeting, and everyone contributes equally, but only staff are paid, is this fair?

If there is a document created about disabled people, but disabled people are only involved at the end to check for spelling mistakes, is this really coproduction? Does this empower or disempower disabled people?

Recognising involvement and paying expenses

There is currently no nationally recognised payment guidance for involvement. Different organisations can afford to pay more than others, the key is that you will be informed upfront about what payments and expenses will be covered.

Examples of activities you may be paid for include:

Attending meetings
Reading proposals or documents and providing feedback. Analysis or interpretation of information.
Participation in an event, workshop, or focus group
Facilitating / co-facilitating groups
Taking part in interviews or candidate shortlisting

Examples of payment rates (payment for involvement)

Some examples of payment rate and expected activities are below (rates correct at 2024)

Organization	Payment Rates
National Institute for Health and Research (NIHR)	£12.50 for an activity that equates to ½ hour of work with no preparation £25 For an activity that equates to 1 hour of work with no preparation £50 for an activity that involves some preparation, lasting no more than 2 hours £75 for meetings or committees that may last ½ a day with some preparation £150 for all day meetings, panels, or committees with preparation £300 for all day meetings/events with substantial preparation and additional responsibility such as chairing
Glasgow University	£50 for a one hour 1-1 online meeting £150 for a 3-hour online group meeting
Skills for Care	£15 per hour
Care Quality Commission (CQC)	Leading. £180 per day for people who take a very big part in our work, like leading a project or making decisions independently Deciding Together. £150 per day for people who take a big part in our work, like giving training, taking on additional responsibility and contributing to decision-making. Working Together. £126 per day for people who take part in our work within a fixed role and responsibility
ADASS North East	£25 per hour £25 shopping voucher
The Essex Partnership	£15 Standard Rate £20 Enhanced rate £25 Lead rate

There may be situations where small groups or charities do not have a budget to pay for any involvement. Could they offer you something else instead? This could be use of a hot-desk or a meeting room, or they could offer you a spare training place. You should feel comfortable to discuss this with the organisation and make an agreement in advance.

Will it affect my tax? What are the rules if I claim benefits?

If you are employed, or unemployed, involvement payments can be classed as earnings, and you may need to declare them. Payments made to you for involvement are usually subject to tax and National Insurance deductions if your taxable income exceeds your annual Tax Personal Allowance.

Involvement payments can get complicated if you are receiving benefits, as different benefits have different rules around earnings and work. Involvement activities in some cases can be deemed as volunteer hours or ‘permitted’ work for if you are receiving benefits. But it is important to be aware that you can earn money whilst claiming benefits. Full information about the maximum amounts you can earn can be found on the GOV.UK website.

If you are being offered a payment amount that is too high and may impact your finances, you should be able to ask for a lower amount that is within your earnings limits.

If you would rather not accept any cash payments, then you can ask for a voucher alternative. This will usually be a ‘shopping’ voucher that is accepted at a wide variety of high street shops.

You can also choose not to receive any payments and volunteer your time with no reimbursements.

Involvement is NOT employment

If you are receiving benefits because your health or disability affects your ability to work, you will need to ensure that Jobcentre Plus understands that ‘involvement’ is different to employment. Jobcentre Plus has issued guidance to their staff explaining that involvement is not the same as work. In the text of a letter agreed with Jobcentre Plus policy team, in 2007, it states: “Recruitment for involvement should not be confused with recruitment for employment.” (Disability Rights UK). Jobcentre staff might not be aware of this. So, you can ask the organisation you are involved with to provide you with a letter that you can show the job centre.

Benefits are NOT impacted by expenses incurred by involvement.

The organisation you are working with should pay you for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses you incur as part of your involvement activity. So, If the DWP queries any of your expenses payments, ask the organisation to provide details of the expenses reimbursed. This can include:

Bus fares and travel expenses to get to meetings
Childcare or carer costs
Personal assistant costs to enable you to attend meetings or events
Admin costs, such as telephone call charges or stamps

Key Information

For people taking part

It is your choice whether you accept any form of payment for your involvement
Receiving payments may have implications if you are employed or unemployed.
You can ask for a voucher alternative
Involvement is not employment.
Expenses do not affect benefits
Most organisations will pay money via BACs, so you will need a bank account.

For organisations or groups

You should have a clear policy for paying people involvement payments.
You should tell people up front what involvement payments you provide and what expenses are covered.
It’s good practice to provide a letter stating what the involvement payment was for, for the person’s records – especially if they need to share this with the DWP.
You should provide a voucher alternative for those that do not want a cash payment.
Funds should not be a barrier to access, consider offering payment for expenses up front if needed.
Authentic co-production means creating and involving equally. Set aside a budget to ensure you remove barriers to participation.

Useful Links

Consultancy

Difference North East can offer consultancy if you want to develop coproduction within your organisation

Disclaimer

We will check this resource regularly, but the rules and guidance around benefits and allowances may change depending on current national policies. Please ensure you have checked the latest guidance for any benefits you receive and any implications for earning limits on the gov.uk website.

Involvement Payments & Reimbursement

Summary

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