DWP - Access to Work Fund

Access to Work is a discretionary grant scheme that supports disabled people to take up (or remain in work). It is open to disabled people who are:

• in paid employment
• self-employed
• apprentices
• trainees
• supported interns
• doing self-directed work experience
• on Jobcentre Plus promoted work trials
• going to a job interview

You can get help if you:

• are disabled, have a mental health condition, or have a long-term health condition that impacts on your ability to work;
• are aged 16 or over; and
• live in England, Scotland, or Wales

Access to Work support covers a wide range of interventions beyond ‘reasonable adjustments’ associated with overcoming work-related barriers resulting from disability. The support package is agreed based on individual need. Examples of the kind of help available through Access to Work are:

• A communicator, advocate, or BSL interpreter for a job interview, if you’re D/deaf or have communication difficulties
• A support worker, such as a reader for somebody with a visual impairment; communicator for a D/deaf person; a specialist job coach for a person with a learning difficulty; or a helper for personal care needs at work
• Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular need.
• Help towards the additional costs of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to work
• Support via Access to Work’s dedicated Mental Health Support Service.

Supported Internships and Traineeships

Young people who start a work placement with an employer as part of the Department for Education supported internship programme or a traineeship will be able to apply for Access to Work support for the time of their work placement only.

Access to Work will fund additional travel, a job coach, and other support (including costs of equipment if appropriate) to promote a smooth transition into paid employment. No other types of unpaid internships or traineeships will qualify for Access to Work support.

The application process for those on supported internships and traineeships wishing to apply to Access to Work includes:

• The provision for a supported employment provider to make an application on behalf of an education provider (education providers can still make the claim if they would like to do so)
• One placement per month for each student
• The ability to make applications up to three months in advance.

Resources:

• DWP - Access to Work: Factsheet for Customers (Link)