Volunteering while incapacitated for work
Would you like to do voluntary work while you are incapacitated? It is possible to do so, provided you receive consent from health insurance fund's medical officer. You may only do unpaid or non-paying voluntary work.
What is volunteering?
Volunteering is an unpaid activity. You do voluntary and unpaid work for a not-for-profit organisation. An example of volunteering is selling flowers for Kom op tegen Kanker.
You do not get paid a wage as a volunteer. You may, however, occasionally receive an expense reimbursement. Even if you are incapacitated for work, you are allowed to receive limited expense reimbursements.
Monitor your file
Track your benefit payments onMy Helan.
What are the eligibility criteria?
- You must have approval from the health insurance fund's medical officer.
- Your state of health should be such that you are able to do the voluntary work.
- You remain incapacitated for work from a medical point of view.
How do I request permission?
Request approval from the medical officer via the application form. You can send this to us digitally, or by post to Helan Ziekenfonds, Incapacity for Work Service (Dienst arbeidsongeschiktheid), Boomsesteenweg 5, 2610 Wilrijk.
The medical officer will consider whether volunteering is compatible with your medical condition.
If the medical officer at Helan Health Insurance Fund approves it, you can do the voluntary work. Your incapacity for work benefit will continue to be paid as usual.
Submit your application on time
.Make sure Helan Health Insurance Fund receives your application form at least one working day before the start of your part-time activity. You can start the day after we receive it. This means that you do not have to wait for the approval of your health insurance fund's medical officer.
If we receive your application form too late, this will have financial consequences with regard to your benefit:
.
- If you submit your application within 14 days of your part-time resumption of work: your benefit payments will be reduced by 10% for the period of lateness.
- If you provide us with the application more than 14 days after your work resumption date: you will not receive any benefits from the start date of your part-time activity. Any benefits paid will be reclaimed and you will receive an invitation for a medical assessment from your health insurance fund's medical officer.
Does volunteering impact your benefits?
Doing voluntary work does not affect your illness benefit. Do keep in mind the legal maximum amounts of any expense reimbursements you might receive. If you don't, you risk having to pay back your benefits for the days that you volunteered.
Read more about 'when you are incapacitated for work'
Track and manage your benefit file on My Helan
- initiating your benefit file
- track your benefit payments
- add documents to your benefit file digitally
- request holidays, return to work, voluntary work
- and so much more!
Helan Independent Health Insurance Fund is the insurance agent (n° CDZ 5006c) for ‘MLOZ Insurance’, the VMOB of Independent Health Insurance Funds, (Register of Legal Entities in Brussels, 422.189.629, recognised under no. CDZ 750/01 for branches 2 and 18). View the data sheet and the General Terms and Conditions. Belgian law applies to the insurance contract. The term of the contract is whole life. In the event of any complaint, contact the complaints department of Helan Health Insurance Fund or the insurance ombudsman. For more information about purchasing this/these product(s), please contact Helan Health Insurance Fund. Helan Onafhankelijk ziekenfonds, Boomsesteenweg 5, 2610 Wilrijk, 0411.696.011, RPR Antwerpen, www.helan.be.