Latest news with #AccesstoWork
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
People with 7 health concerns and disabilities may be eligible for extra DWP help
The Access to Work scheme is designed to help people with disabilities or conditions get jobs or stay in work Navigating the workplace with a disability or health condition may feel overwhelming. But did you know the Government's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can provide several accessibility modifications to make things simpler? Set up in 1994, the Access to Work scheme is crafted to assist people with disabilities or conditions secure employment or remain in work. Whilst the support provided depends on your individual circumstances, it can encompass grants for practical assistance, such as travel expenses if you cannot use public transport, vehicle modifications, or even specialist equipment. You may also receive mental health support, communication aid for job interviews, or even physical alterations to your workplace, which can be at home if that best suits your requirements. Applications do not depend on how much you earn at work, nor will they affect other benefits. You may be asked to pay some upfront costs, but these will be reimbursed later. However, the Government's website clarifies: "Access to Work will not pay for reasonable adjustments. "These are the changes your employer must legally make to support you to do your job. Access to Work will advise your employer if changes should be made as reasonable adjustments." If you are keen to apply for the Access to Work scheme, you must live in England, Scotland, or Wales, as there is a different scheme in Northern Ireland. You must also be at least 16 years old and in a paid job or scheduled to start/return to a job within the next 12 weeks. A paid job can be either part-time or full-time. It does not include voluntary work but can include: Finally, you must have a 'physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work'. While it's not a comprehensive list, the Government has provided several examples where this might be relevant Mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression Illnesses such as diabetes or epilepsy Developmental conditions, like autism spectrum disorder Learning disabilities or related conditions, such as Down's syndrome ADHD or dyslexia Temporary conditions, like a broken leg Physical disabilities, such as being hard of hearing or using a wheelchair Importantly, you don't require a formal diagnosis of your condition to make an application. Nonetheless, the Government adds: "You can get Access to Work and ESA at the same time if you work less than 16 hours a week. There are rules about working while claiming ESA. You can ask your work coach for advice and support." Anyone keen to apply for the Access to Work scheme can do so online or by calling 0800 121 7479. If you have difficulty speaking or hearing on the phone, contact Relay UK through 18001 and then 0800 121 7479. These lines are open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. You will need contact and workplace information, plus details on how your condition affects your work and what support you think you need to apply. Further information is available on the Government's website.
Leader Live
22-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
New scheme to boost employment for people with disabilities
The Supported Employment Service is designed to help people with learning disabilities secure paid, meaningful work. Currently, just 4.8 per cent of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment, despite many wanting to work. It is a joint project led by Wrexham and Flintshire County Councils alongside specialist agencies like HfT Flintshire. John Pritchard, lead member for adult social care at Wrexham Council, said: "We're here to support employers every step of the way, and we take time to understand their unique business needs so we can help them find the best job matches. "Employing someone with a learning disability can be hugely rewarding – there are lots of business benefits, and you can also make a world of difference to that person's life." The service offers tailored support to employers, including help with recruitment, induction, training, and advice on reasonable adjustments in the workplace. It also provides ongoing support to both businesses and employees for as long as it is needed. Christine Jones, Flintshire County Council's cabinet member for social services and wellbeing, said: "Very few people with learning disabilities are in paid employment, and we want their potential and talent to be recognised and celebrated. "To do this we need the support of local businesses. "The Supported Employment Service is here to help employers find reliable, hardworking people while fostering an inclusive workplace." The scheme is part of a wider project involving all six North Wales councils and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, funded through the North Wales Health and Social Care Regional Integration Fund. The service also helps businesses access funding through the Access to Work programme. The Oaks Care Home in Shotton is one of the businesses already working with HfT and currently employs Jake Vernon. READ MORE: Dog rescued by Flintshire animal centre after 'awful start to life' looking for home Tributes paid to kind 'chess king' who spent a lifetime impressing his opponent Manager Sinead Fox said: "We appreciate Jake so much for what he brings to our company – fun, positivity, a willingness to go the extra mile, and a wonderful work ethic which shines through. "Working with a supported employment provider like HfT has been a rewarding and easy process, and they've supported the employee and us as a company from the very start. "Since we've employed Jake our options have changed, and we did have fears that it would be costly if any adjustments were needed, but we needn't have worried – it has been no extra expense and with the specialist support from the job coach it has been a smooth journey. "They have supported us and Jake with all mandatory company training and more." Employers based in Wrexham or Flintshire who are interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the Supported Employment Service for more information.
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
DWP special grant provides extra support for disabled workers
The Access to Work grant is available for anyone with a physical or mental health condition and can provide a grant to help pay for a wide range of things related to work Disabled people across the UK could be in line for additional financial aid to help them either remain in or gain employment, the DWP says. The Access to Work scheme offers support to those with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities - and can sometimes provide a grant to cover various work-related expenses. According to official guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), this may include assistance with "practical support with your work". The scheme also covers communication support during job interviews and offers extra help for managing mental health at work. And if you work from home, whether part-time or full-time, your home could be considered a workplace for the purposes of the scheme. Receiving an Access to Work grant won't impact any other benefits you're getting, and there's no requirement to repay it. However, there might be instances where you or your employer have to cover some costs up front and reimburse them later. All the things you can get with Access to Work While there is not solid cash figure that can be claimed from Access to Work, official guidance highlights that it can help eligible claimants pay for a wide range of things to help them at work. This includes: costs of travelling to work, if you cannot use public transport support workers, like a BSL interpreter, a job coach or a travel buddy specialist equipment and assistive software adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work physical changes to your workplace Those who need extra mental health support can also use Access to Work to receive a tailored plan that will help them stay or get into work as well as receive one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional. If you need extra communication support, specifically for job interview, you can use Access to Work to help pay for a BSL interpreter or lip speaker. Keep in mind that Access to Work will not pay for things that are considered 'reasonable adjustment' in the workplace. This refers to any changes that an employer is legally required to make in order to support you to do your job. How to apply for Access to Work You can make a claim for Access to Work as long as you have a physical or mental health condition or disability and be aged 16 or over. You must also either be in paid work or about start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks. While you can receive help when living or working in England, Scotland, or Wales, it is not available in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. In order to apply for Access to Work, you must first have the following details on hand: your workplace address and postcode details of a workplace contact who can confirm you work there, if you're employed (they will not be contacted without your permission) your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number, if you're self-employed your contact details information about how your condition affects your work and what support you think you need You can either apply online or by dialling the Acess to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
People wait months to get help on key benefit - including one very long delay
Data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show the average wait time for a decision under the scheme was 57 days in the last year People with mental health conditions or disabilities are waiting months to get help under the government's Access to Work scheme, figures show. Data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show the average wait time for a decision under the scheme was 57 days in the last year. And one person had to wait 393 days. The government's Access to Work scheme helps people get or stay in work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. It can include a grant to help pay for practical support with work, support managing mental health at work or money to pay for communication support at job interviews. But the Lib Dems argue slow progress through the system can disincentivise employers from offering jobs to disabled people as they can hire non-disabled people into roles faster. The figures emerged after a furious backbench rebellion forced Labour to drop elements of its welfare reform plan which would have cut billions of pounds from the benefits bill. 'This is no way to make legislation let alone run a country,' Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson said 'The past week has caused anxiety and confusion for all those who were at risk of being affected by these changes.' Responding to a written question from Ms Cooper, Work and Pensions minister Stephen Timms said: 'We are committed to reducing waiting times for Access to Work and are considering the best way to deliver that for customers. 'We have increased the number of staff processing Access to Work claims and applications from customers who are about to start a job or who are renewing are prioritised.' He added that the Government's benefits reform green paper included plans to improve Access to Work, and 'we are considering further options to reduce the waiting time for customers.' She added: 'The original bill would have stripped support from disabled people and those who care for them and actually put up more barriers to work rather than bringing them down. 'The Government must accept that this gutted bill is not fit for purpose, withdraw the legislation and come forward with a properly thought through proposal to reduce welfare spending without targeting those in desperate need of support. 'That means speeding up Access to Work decisions, ending the crisis in our NHS so people can go back to their jobs rather than languishing in pain, and making people's money go further, such as by introducing an energy social tariff.'
Channel 4
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
Access to Work: cuts to support putting employment out of reach
The government has been offering concessions to Labour MPs over its controversial welfare bill that will face a parliamentary vote tomorrow – it says it needs to reduce the benefits bill, but also wants to support disabled people into work. Today, a public consultation closes on one of the existing programmes of funding reasonable adjustments in the workplace. But as Shani Dhanda, a disability campaigner and journalist has been finding out, many claimants of the Access to Work grant have already been experiencing cuts to their support, putting employment out of reach.
