Access to Work
What you will learn in this chapter
- Who Access to Work is for
- What Access to Work can offer support with
- How the grant is given
Extra costs disabled people face
There has been lots of research from Scope and other organisations on the extra costs of living and working for disabled people. These costs can include travel, equipment, medical and household costs.
Employers often worry about the costs of employing a disabled person or someone with a health condition. Many are not aware of a government scheme designed to support these workplace costs.
The scheme is Access to Work.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work helps with some of the costs of going to work for disabled people. This grant can be for new staff and existing employees who become disabled or develop a mental or physical health condition.
It can offer support with:
- communication support at interviews
- aids and equipment
- adapting equipment to make it easier for them to use
- travel to work
- a wide variety of support workers, including a job coach or sign language interpreter
- The Mental Health Support Service
The grant can also help with the costs of some reasonable adjustments. The amount can vary from a full grant or a contribution to adjustments. This can help minimise costs.
The amount of the grant depends on:
- when you apply
- how long the employee has worked for you
- the size of the organisation
The employee will have to start the application but we recommend organisations support them through the process.