Question > What is Access to Work?

Answer > Access to Work is a Government scheme where employees and job applicants with a disability can apply for a grant to pay for practical support to help start employment or stay in work.

Practical support could mean paying for the cost of special equipment, fares to work, a support worker or job coach to help you in the workplace or a communicator at a job interview.

The level of grant will depend on individual circumstances.

The criteria for grant eligibility is that you: n have a disability or health condition that would affect your ability to work n are 16 years old or above n are resident in England, Scotland or Wales n have a paid job, a job interview or about to start employment, work experience or an apprenticeship Your disability or health condition must either affect your ability to do a job and must also either be likely to last at least a year or have already lasted at least a year.

Where you have a mental health condition, it must affect your ability to do a job and mean you need support to start a new job, reduce absence from work, or stay in work.

The Access to Work grant can be applied at gov.uk/access-to-work/apply. An advisor will then contact the employer and may need to visit you at work.

If you are eligible, employers would encourage you to apply for an Access to Work grant either before starting work or within six weeks of your start date as the grant may cover agreed costs, rather than just a proportion.

As a Government scheme, it will be the advisor’s decision whether to award a grant.

  •  For HR advice and support contact Kerry Mercer at FDR Law on 230000 or email Kerry.mercer@fdrlaw.co.uk