An Overview of the Access to Work Initiative

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The Department for Work and Pensions offers a support system called Access to Work. This support might come in financial assistance, commonly called a grant. The UK Government Programme offers grants up to £62,900 per annum. 

 

The best part? This isn’t a loan 

You won't be expected to repay the amount.

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Who's Qualified for Access to Work?

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• Those with a visible or concealed disability

• Individuals dealing with mental health challenges

• impacting their work or commute

 

Adjustments in the Workplace

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If you're dealing with health concerns or disabilities, your employer must make alterations to aid your work performance. Such changes are labelled as "reasonable adjustments."

 

The Access to Work initiative will assess these adjustments to ensure they

cater to your needs adequately.

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Criteria for Obtaining Access to Work Support:

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• Be in paid employment or about to start or return to one

• Be at least 16 years of age and residing in England, Scotland, or Wales

• Residents of The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man are ineligible

• Grants aren’t provided for unpaid roles

• Civil Servants cannot directly apply; their office coordinates the process

 

Examples of Paid Roles:

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• Being self-employed or running a personal business

• Engaging in an apprenticeship to acquire specific skills

• Participating in internships or work experience for job exposure

• Undertaking a work trial to gauge job fit

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Individuals on Government Benefits:

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Access to Work is available for those receiving Universal Credit,

Jobseekers Allowance, or Income Support and working over an

hour weekly.

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For Employment and Support Allowance beneficiaries, Access

to Work can be availed only for sanctioned employment.

 

Employment is sanctioned if:

• Your earnings are under £167 weekly

• Your work is under 16 hours weekly

• Your task has the green light from your Job Centre's work coach

 

How the Grant Operates:

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You or your employer will shoulder the necessary costs upon obtaining a grant.

Retain all bills, and Access to Work will reimburse you.

 

There might be other costs your employer should cover, and the amount will

be communicated by Access to Work.

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Assistance from Access to Work might include:

• Counselling or job mentorship/coaching

• Adaptations to your work tools

• Transferring equipment for workplace relocations

• Hiring interpreters such as British Sign Language experts, video relay service assistance, lip speakers, or note-takers

• Modifications to your vehicle for commuting ease

• Covering taxi expenses or providing a support worker if public transportation isn't feasible

• Offering a support worker or job mentorship at your workplace

• Facilitating disability awareness programs for your colleagues

 

The Application Process:

You can submit your application online. Visit www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply for the necessary details and steps.

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Upon submission:

• An Access to Work consultant will reach out to discuss available support

• The consultant might also connect with your employer for a better understanding

• A representative from the Department for Work and Pensions might inspect your workplace to determine the support needed

• You will be informed about the aid you can obtain from Access to Work

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Access to Work and ADHD:

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The following are accommodations that adhduk.co.uk are aware people with ADHD have successfully asked for:

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• ADHD Coaching

• Noise cancelling headphones

• Significant workplace support. A recent substantial award we heard of was for help with the filing aspects of a job. The award was a half full-time equivalent (2.5 days a week) for an assistant to come in and help with filing.

(adhduk.co.uk)

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Further information on claiming Access to Work & ADHD can be found at the following website:

Access To Work - Support for Disabilities/ Health Conditions (adhduk.co.uk)

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