Access to Work

Dear Invisible_me,

Well done for reaching out to get support in accessing work- I know that can be a challenging step for a lot of people. 

I have copied the NAS guidance on access to work below:

Access to Work government grant scheme

Access to Work is a government-funded grant scheme that supports people who meet the legal definition of disability (including autistic people) to start or stay in work. The scheme provides practical and financial support to people who need support and adaptations beyond reasonable adjustments. 

The support you can get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work 
• support with managing your mental health at work
• money to pay for communication support at job interviews.

Access to Work will not pay for reasonable adjustments that your employer has a duty to make. The scheme provides grants when you need something beyond what your employer can reasonably provide.

Your employer must consider available funding, such as an Access to Work grant before deciding an adjustment is not reasonable based on cost. Access to Work will tell your employer if changes they have requested funding for must be paid for by the employer as a reasonable adjustment instead.
 

What can Access to Work pay for?

Examples of practical support that Access to Work can provide a grant to pay for include:

• a support worker, job coach or travel companion
• the cost of travelling to work if you cannot use public transport
• special equipment or alterations to existing equipment, for example:
  • screen reading or text-to-speech software
  • planning and time management software
  • noise-cancelling headphones
• advice and support for employers and colleagues, including autism awareness training and/or reasonable adjustments advisory services
• work-related mental health support.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for Access to Work, you must:

• have a physical or mental health condition or disability (including being autistic) that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work 
• be 16 or over
• be in paid work (or be about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks) 
  This can be either full or part time work and includes: 
  • employment
  • self-employment
  • an apprenticeship
  • a work trial or work experience
  • an internship
  • a work placement 
• live and work in England, Scotland or Wales – Access to Work is slightly different in Northern Ireland, more information on the NI Direct Access to Work page.

Many people who may be eligible for support may not know this, because awareness of the Access to Work scheme is poor. The Buckland Report states that only 1 in 5 disabled people in the UK say that they currently or have previously received support from Access to Work. Some people find the application process difficult and unfortunately there are often delays in grants being awarded, sometimes of several months.

It may also be worth reaching out to your employer, or future employers about further adjustments that can be made in the workplace- such as sensory adjustments or regular breaks. 

I hope this has helped.

Best wishes,

Olivia Mod

Thank you.  But like im on 0hr contract, does it still apply? Also like what is a grant  

Ive not spoken to my employer yet either, scared to.

Thank you.  But like im on 0hr contract, does it still apply? Also like what is a grant  

Ive not spoken to my employer yet either, scared to.

Dear Invisible_me,

Thank you for your reply. It may be worth chatting to access to work directly for further information as they would be able to advise you better than I can. 

You can contact them on:

Access to Work helpline