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People who are clinically extremely vulnerable can get new
applications for grant funding fast-tracked.
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Funding can now cover taxi fares and public transport costs,
if a health condition prevents you from travelling on public
transport during the pandemic.
Those working from home or in the workplace with a disability
will benefit from extra help, thanks to an extension of the
Access to Work scheme, including support for special equipment,
travel costs and mental health.
Covid-19 is changing the way we work and impacting working
environments and arrangements. With many employers asking workers
to adapt to a new environment, Access to Work can play a key role
in supporting disabled people to retain, return to and move into
employment.
New extensions to the scheme
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You can get grant funding if you’re disabled and need support
to work from home because of Covid-19, which can help pay for
special equipment such as a screen reader or video remote
interpreting or support worker services.
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This funding can also be fast-tracked if you’re in the
clinically extremely vulnerable group.
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If you’re travelling into the office and due to your health
condition public transport isn’t a safe option for you at the
moment, you can also apply for financial support with things
like taxi fares.
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If you are anxious about returning to work and need support,
you can also get mental health support through Access to Work
with a tailored package of support for up to nine months.
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Applying for funding is easy - either online at: gov.uk/access-to-work or
over the phone on 0800 121 7479. Following a short
assessment, you can start getting support.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work said:
In these unprecedented times, it is absolutely right that we
continue to support disabled people to pursue employment
without barriers.
This extension of funding and support will help to protect
thousands of jobs which provide vital independence allowing
disabled people to reach their full potential.
About Access to Work
The Access to Work scheme is designed to help people who are
disabled or have a physical or mental health condition stay in
employment. Last year, it provided personalised support to a
record 36,000 people with disabilities and health conditions to
do their job.
It can help you speak to your employers about changes they need
to support you, and can even provide grants up to £60,000 to keep
your job accessible. Your grant is tailor-made to your needs and
you’ll be assigned an Access to Work adviser to support you
through the process.
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The latest figures show more people than ever before, over
36,000, have benefited from Access to Work grants.
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Last year, the Department for Work and Pensions spent over
£129.1 million on Access to Work – a real terms increase of
14% since 2018.
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You can find out more about Access to Work at: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work,
with braille and easy read versions available.
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Businesses who want to show their support for attracting,
recruiting and retaining disabled employees can join more
than 18,000 organisations who have signed up to the
Disability Confident scheme. To find out more go to: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
