What is Access to Work?
A government scheme which aims to provide advice and practical support to disabled people and theiremployers to help overcome work-related obstacles resulting from a disability (as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Who can apply?
You can apply to Access to Work, if you are
- disabled,
- have a mental health condition
- have a long-term health condition that impacts your ability to work.
You must be aged 16 or over, live in England, Scotland or Wales.
What help can I get?
Here are some examples of the help you can receive:
- A communicator, advocate or BSL interpreter for a job interview, if you’re D/deaf or have communication difficulties
- Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular need.
- Help towards the additional costs of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to work
How much do you get?
How much you get depends on your specific case. The grant will only cover the support needed to let you stay in work or self-employed.
Funding increase
In 2015, Access to Work grants were capped at a maximum yearly award limit of 1.5 times the national average salary. This was going to be raised from £42,100 to £43,100 in April 2018.
However, after the government engaged with different groups and individuals and monitored the potential impact of the cap, the funding has now been increased and the maximum people can access is set to £57,000 a year. This is a £15,000 – or 38% – rise from the current cap on Access to Work funding. This will be updated annually on that basis.
The Work and Pensions Secretary said that the move was part of the government’s commitment to have one million more disabled people in work by 2027.
You can read more on BBC News by clicking HERE and for more information on how to apply click HERE
The Learning Support Centre provide support in the workplace. We can tailor support and enable you to develop lifelong independent strategies to improve your confidence, skills and performance in your job and career, empowering you to fulfil your potential.