Getting paid for your work

If you get involved in research projects through the MHRN, you will be paid for your work. Any expenses you incur as a result of your involvement will also be reimbursed.

We strongly advise anyone who is receiving benefits to take advice before they get involved with our work as each benefit has different rules about the amount of money people are allowed to earn while they are claiming it.

The Mental Health Research Network has produced a guide about how benefits may be affected if people claim payment for getting involved in research. The guide can be downloaded on this page.

We also subscribe to the Citizens Advice Bureau Involvement Helpline, which means anyone involved in our work can get professional advice about how their benefits and tax credits may be affected. The freephone service is confidential. Your local MHRN regional office (hub) or the Service Users in Research coordinating centre will give you details about accessing this service. Contact the coordinating centre on 020 7848 0644 or email mhrnppi@kcl.ac.uk.

page last updated 25 January 2012

MHRN Model Payment Policies for Service Users and Carers

MHRN Service Users and Carers Payments Policy: Benefits Conditions and Systems around Paid and Voluntary Involvement (January 2012)

MHRN Model Payment Policy for Service Users and Carers: For MHRN hubs hosted by NHS Trusts (January 2012)

MHRN Model Payment Policy for Service Users and Carers: For MHRN hubs hosted by Universities (January 2012)

Service user and carer participation: Helpful benefit rules and benefit pitfalls to avoid where payments are made by an NHS Trust (January 2012)

Service user and carer participation: Helpful benefit rules and benefit pitfalls to avoid where payments are made by a university (January 2012)