This section provides information about the government Access to Work scheme. For more detailed information on the scheme, please see our factsheet below.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work (AtW) is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. The scheme provides advice and practical support to disabled people to enable them to work along-side their colleagues despite their disabilities.
Am I eligible for help through Access to Work?
If you have a disability and are in a job, about to start in a job, about to start a Work Trial or are self- employed, AtW could benefit you. It applies to any paid job, part-time or full-time, permanent or temporary. There is no minimum number of hours for eligibility for support under the scheme.
If your disability or health condition affects the type of work you do, and it is likely to last for 12 months or longer, contact your regional AtW contact centre to check your eligibility for the scheme. Your disability or health condition may not have a big effect on what you do each day, but may have a long-term effect on how well you can do your job.
Unemployed or employed disabled people needing help with a communicator at a job interview can also get help through AtW.
What type of help is provided through Access to Work?
Access to Work can help you in a number of ways. For example, it can help pay for:
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adaptations to premises and equipment
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special aids and equipment
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Support workers
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travel to work where there is no practical public transport alternative, and travel within work
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awareness training for your colleagues.
How will my needs be assessed?
An AtW Adviser will normally phone you at your place of work. The Adviser will also need to discuss the application with your employer to enable them to arrive at the most effective provision.
It is essential that specialist or technical advice is obtained. The AtW Adviser can arrange for a specialist contractor, such as RNIB or Action for Blind People, to visit you at work to complete an assessment and recommend appropriate support. A written and confidential report will be sent to the AtW Adviser, who will use the information to help them to decide on the level of support that can be approved. You do not have the right to see this report at this stage, however, if you would like a copy of the assessment report you should contact the AtW Adviser to request one be sent to you in your preferred format.
In some cases, if you know what equipment you want, you can apply for it over the phone. However, in most cases we would strongly recommend a formal assessment, as a qualified assessor might be able to identify solutions that you are not aware of. A formal assessment should always be done in person, rather than over the phone.
Before the assessment you should think about your job, what tasks you are required to do and how your disability impacts upon them. This should ensure that you can fully input into the process of assessing your needs at work.
How long will it take to get the help needed?
The AtW centre aims to arrange the help needed in the shortest possible time. The length of time taken for the process varies depending on individual circumstance. However, if there is any delay the AtW Adviser should explore temporary alternatives, for example a support worker.
Who will buy the help needed?
Once the assessment process has been completed the AtW Adviser will send a letter confirming the amount of grant they approve. The AtW Adviser may discuss your needs with you and your employer and to agree what help can be provided through Access to Work. The AtW Adviser may ask your employer to obtain quotes in order to arrive at the approved cost.
It is the employer's (or self-employed person's) responsibility to purchase and provide the support required and then to reclaim the cost from AtW.
Please note that your employer should not purchase any items until AtW has notified you both that they have approved the agreed support.
How much is the Access to Work grant?
AtW pays a percentage of the total cost of approved support depending on how long you have been employed, what support is needed, whether or not there is any business benefit, or whether you are self-employed.
Access to Work pays up to 100% of the approved costs for:
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unemployed people starting a job
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all self-employed people
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employers with less than 10 staff
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people working for an employer with more than 10 staff but who have been in the job for less than 6 weeks
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people changing jobs with a new employer.
Whatever the employment status of the applicant, Access to Work pays up to 100% of the approved costs of help with:
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support workers
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communicator support at an interview
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travel to work (above the normal costs).
For people working for an employer who have been in the job for 6 weeks or more and who need special equipment or adaptations to premises, AtW pays a proportion of the costs of support, to be shared with the employer as follows:
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Less than 10 staff - AtW can pay up to 100% of costs
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10 to 49 staff - AtW can pay up to 80% of costs above the first £300 up to £10,000
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50 to 249 staff - AtW can pay up to 80% of costs above the first £500 up to £10,000
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250 staff plus - AtW can pay up to 80% of costs above the first £1000 up to £10,000
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AtW would normally cover all additional costs over £10,000.
In all cases, AtW may seek more than the minimum contribution from the employer, where there is general benefit to the employer and/or individual seeking help.
If you are changing jobs but staying with the same employer you should contact your regional AtW contact centre to discuss whether your employer has to pay a contribution or not.
Either you or your employer may be asked by AtW for an additional voluntary contribution to the cost of equipment. This is voluntary and your entitlement to support will not be changed should you choose not to pay it.
How to apply for Access to Work
You should contact your AtW contact centre directly. Details of where to find these can be found in the Access to Work contact centres section.
What will the AtW Adviser need to know?
There are actions that you can take to help the AtW Adviser deal with the application quickly. Do not wait until you have started your new job before asking for help. The sooner AtW knows about the request for support, the more time they will have to get help ready for when you start.
The AtW Adviser will need some detailed information and it will help if you can ask your employer for the following details:
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a job description for the new job
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your expected start date
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contact details for your line manager
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contact details for your employer's Information Technology specialist
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contact details for the person who will authorise the purchase and cost sharing.