How do I get paid?
The Usability Exchange uses the PayPal website to transfer payments to individual testers. At the end of each month, the credit that each tester has received for completing tests is paid into the tester's PayPal account. This PayPal money can then be used to buy goods and services online, and can also be transferred directly into the tester's own bank account.
When you attempt to register with the Usability Exchange you will be asked to register with PayPal first. Users should note the following with regard to PayPal:
- Registration with PayPal is FREE.
- You must be over 18 to register with PayPal.
- You do not need a credit or debit card, or a bank account to register with PayPal.
- There may be a limit on the amount of money you can send or receive using your PayPal account if you do not have a bank account.
- If you have a bank account, it is easy to transfer funds directly from your PayPal account into your bank account.
For testers on income support or receiving other state benefits, we also provide the following options:
- Payment in the form of Luncheon Vouchers.
- Capped payment - testers can be paid a maximum of £5, £10 or £20 per week with any excess credit at the end of each month carried over to the next month or transferred to a nominated charity.
- Charitable donations - testers can automatically transfer their entire outstanding balance at the end of each month to a nominated charity.
Testers can modify their payment preferences by logging into their account and selecting the Settings link.
Testers who are in any way concerned that Usability Exchange payments might alter their tax status or benefit payments should select the option "Transfer total outstanding balance to charity at end of month" from within their settings page.
Important information regarding payments
All testers should be aware they may need to notify appropriate UK government departments of their receipt of income from the Usability Exchange and may need to declare this income to particular departments:
HM Revenue & Customs - Usability Exchange payments are not taxed at source and may represent additional taxable income for individual testers. Testers are advised to contact HM Revenue & Customs to determine how payments from the Usability Exchange will affect their tax status and to determine in what way they should declare extra income from the Usability Exchange to HM Revenue & Customs.
To contact HM Revenue & Customs, select this link: HM Revenue & Customs
Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Pensions Service - If you are receiving income support, a state pension or other state benefits, you should contact your local social security office, Jobcentre Plus office or local Pension Service office (as appropriate) to determine how payments from the Usability Exchange will affect your existing benefit payments.
Testers claiming income support may need to notify their local social security or Jobcentre Plus office that they will be receiving occasional payments from the Usability Exchange (use form A9 "Telling us about changes"). Testers may also need to provide detailed information on payments they receive from the Usability Exchange to the relevant government departments (use form A356 "Declaration of Earnings").
To contact your local social security office, Jobcentre Plus office or Pension Service office, select this link: Department for Work and Pensions, local office service
Alternatively find the contact page on one of the following websites:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
http://www.pensions.gov.uk
The Department for Work and Pensions publishes "A guide to Income Support" (IS20, April 2004) which explains the rules regarding Income Support and additional income. The attention of testers is drawn to the following pages of this guide:
- Page 112 - The first £20 of earnings from part-time work that a disabled individual earns in a week is ignored in Income Support calculations, providing the individual receives a "disability premium" (such as individuals under 60 who are receiving Disability Living Allowance). If the individual has a partner, then the earnings exemption applies to the individual and their partner's joint earnings.
- Page 113 - Payments in kind, eg. luncheon vouchers, are ignored in Income Support calculations.