What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a Government scheme designed to provide help to disabled people who have a job to start or are experiencing disability related challenges within work and need to overcome them. The scheme spends £64million annually putting support in to place and the scheme is coordinated and administered by Jobcentre Plus. Assessments through the Access to Work scheme are free of charge to disabled employees and their employers. Disability specific equipment, training and support can be funded through the scheme. If a disabled employee is starting a new job all disability specific costs are met through Jobcentre Plus. If an employee has been in post for 6 weeks or more when making an application for Access to Work help; the employer would usually pay the first £300 and 20% of costs up to £10000 over 2 years.

AME (Access Made Easy) Disability Consultants are Jobcentre Plus accredited and are contracted assessors for Jobcentre Plus, carrying out work on their behalf in London and throughout the South East of England.

How does Access to Work help employers?

Qualified assessors such as Access Made Easy visit the work place on behalf of Jobcentre Plus. They consult with the disabled employee and in the great majority of cases with the employer. An assessment report is produced making suggestions as to how the individual will be able to start their job or continue in an existing job. The assessment report is then passed to Jobcentre Plus.

What happens next?

Jobcentre Plus passes both the disabled employee and the employer a summary of the suggested solutions for the employer to implement. The disabled employee can request a full copy of the report. This can only be seen by an employer if they first ask permission from their disabled employee who can choose to pass the employer a full copy if they wish.

Once the summary of solutions is received the employer can order any equipment, adaptations or support needed, claiming money back from Access to Work (Jobcentre Plus).

How to apply

Any disabled employee whether they are currently employed or about to start a job can apply. They should contact Access to Work (Jobcentre Plus) to make their application. They complete an ATW1 and forward it to their local Access to Work Business Centre. The application will then be processed.

Can I apply for help if I am self employed?

Yes, you still fill in an ATW1 although some of the rules governing funding vary slightly compared to those who are employed.

If you wish to contact Access to Work to discuss the scheme or make an application in London or the South East of England you can contact:

London Access to Work Business Centre Tel: 020 8426 3110

South East Access to Work Business Centre tel: 01273 364 750

East of England Access to Work Business Centre Tel: 01206 288 788

Access to Work have a number of contractors but if you would like help from us then ask for Access Made Easy to assess and we will be happy to help if instructed by Jobcentre Plus.