Access to Work

Access to Work can help you if your health or disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and your employer advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs.

An Access to Work grant might pay towards the equipment you need at work. It can also pay towards the cost of getting to work if you cannot use public transport. This can include the cost of adapting your vehicle.

Overview

An Access to Work grant is money to help you find work or stay in a job. It''s for people with a disability, health or mental health condition.

The money you get can pay for things like:

• specialist equipment
• travel when you can''t use public transport
• a communicator at a job interview

How much you get depends on your circumstances. It''s only available in England, Scotland and Wales.

Before you apply for Access to Work, first talk to your employer. Your employer is required to make certain changes (known as ''reasonable adjustments'') to make sure you''re not substantially disadvantaged when doing your job.

Any money you get doesn''t have to be paid back and won''t affect your other benefits.

What you''ll get

There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

The money can pay for things like:

• adaptations to the equipment you use
• special equipment
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
• fares to work if you''re unable to use public transport
• disability awareness training for your colleagues
• a communicator at a job interview

How you''re paid

All benefits, pensions and allowances can be paid into your bank account.

Eligibility

You must be 16 or over and either:

• in a paid job or self-employed — you can''t get it for voluntary work
• unemployed and about to start a job or a work trial

Your condition

Your disability or health condition must affect your ability to do a job or mean you have to pay work-related costs. For example, special computer equipment or travel costs because you can''t use public transport.

Your mental health condition must affect your ability to get a job and means you need support to:

• start a new job
• reduce absence from work
• stay in work

Exceptions

You may not qualify if you get any of these benefits:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Income Support
• National Insurance Credits

For further information see www.gov.uk/access-to-work.

If Access to Work could fund driving adaptations or getting to work in an adapted vehicle, talk to our Hemel Hempstead team — we can advise on the adaptations that would suit you and your vehicle and provide a quote to include in your application.