Thousands of working people could be eligible for support but not claiming it
Disabled people who are in work or looking for work may be eligible for a lot more support than they are claiming. A little known DWP scheme, that is separate from the disability benefits, can provide specialist equipment, support workers, grants and money to disabled workers.
Access to Work is a hidden gem of the Department for Work and Pensions, providing a range of tailored support services to disabled people allowing them to get and stay in work with accommodations for their physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.
Some types of support Access to Work provides includes grants, support with managing mental health at work and money to pay for communications support at job interviews. The grant is able to pay for a range of support items and services like:
- Specialist equipment and assistive software
- Support workers, like a BSL interpreter, a job coach or a travel buddy
- Costs of travelling to work, if you cannot use public transport
- Adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
- Physical changes to your workplace
The type of support you receive will depend on your condition or disability and how it affects your work specifically. Access to Work support will also not affect any other benefits and you don’t have to pay back the grant.
However, you or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and claim them back later. Access to Work will not pay for reasonable adjustments, which must legally be covered by your employer and the scheme will advise your employer if changes should be made as reasonable adjustments.
To be eligible for Access to Work you must:
- Have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work
- Be 16 or over
- Be in paid work, about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks
- Live and work in England, Scotland or Wales
Northern Ireland has a different system. The Access to Work scheme is not available in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Eligible conditions can include issues like dyslexia, diabetes, epilepsy, temporary conditions like a broken leg or physical disabilities like using a wheelchair. ‘Paid work’ can include:
- Employment
- Self-employment
- Apprenticeship
- Work trial or work experience
- Internship
- Work placement
People can find more information and application processes online.
