Access to Work
Access to Work is a scheme run by Jobcentre Plus. The scheme provides advice and practical support for disabled people in, or about to start work. It can also provide assistance to employers who are wanting to employ someone with a disability.
Access to Work provides financial support towards the extra costs that may arise because of an individual's disability and is accessed by the disabled person themselves.
It can help people in any paid job, whether full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary. It can provide grants towards the cost of:
- A communicator at a job interview.
- A support worker to help at work. This could include a personal reader, a communicator or interpreter to attend meetings, work related training courses or conferences, a job coach to support someone while they familiarise themselves with the tasks of a new job, an assistant to help with the personal needs of someone in the workplace, or an escort to and from work.
- Travel to work costs to help towards taxi fares or other transport costs, including adaptations to a vehicle, if someone cannot use public transport to get to work or to travel during work.
- Special equipment, or alterations to existing equipment, to help a disabled person function effectively in the work place.
- Alterations (to premises or a working environment) to make premises and equipment accessible.
- Mobility and specialist training if required.
