Question
Is it haram for a person to receive welfare and work at the same time, if the work is only 20 hours a week (less than 30 hours)?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala rasoolillah, wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma‘in.
The ruling depends on the terms set by the government program:
- If the law permits a person to work part-time (such as 20 hours per week) and still qualify for welfare benefits, then it is permissible to receive both. This is because you are abiding by the agreement and fulfilling the conditions lawfully.
- If one is hiding income, misreporting hours, or deceiving the authorities in order to continue receiving welfare, then it is haram, since it becomes a form of fraud. Allah says: “O you who believe! Fulfill your contracts.” (al-Ma’idah 5:1)
and the Prophet ﷺ said:
“He who deceives us is not of us.” (Muslim)
Final Ruling
If receiving welfare while working part-time is allowed by the system, then it is permissible. But if a person is tricking or cheating the government to take benefits unlawfully, then it is haram.
And Allah knows best.