Access to Work

Access to Work is a programme run by the Department of Work and Pensions and provides support to disabled people to help them overcome work related obstacles resulting from their disability, if this is likely to last for 12 months or longer.

It is important for disabled staff who think they may be able to qualify for the Access to Work Programme, to contact their HR Team immediately on starting work for UCL, after discussion with their line manager. An application to the Access to Work Programme should be made by the disabled person within six weeks of starting work for UCL, in order for Access to Work to pay up to 100% of the costs. Access to Work applies to any paid job, part-time or full-time, permanent or temporary.

Unemployed or employed disabled people needing help with a communicator at a job interview can also get help from Access to Work.

Any members of staff who are or become disabled under the criteria of the Disability Discrimination Act¹ are eligible to apply for a grant from Access to Work irrespective of the length of time at UCL, though in these cases the Access to Work Scheme may not meet 100% of the costs. If an application is made after the initial six week period, UCL would be expected to pay the first £300 and then 20% towards costs. Access to Work would pay the other 80%. Access to Work will however pay up to 100% of the approved cost of equipment, or adaptations over £10,000. In all applications an additional voluntary contribution will be requested.

Once an application is made, a needs assessment is then undertaken by an Access to Work Adviser. In some instances, they may arrange for an assessment to be undertaken in the workplace by an independent assessor, who prepares a report setting out the minimum requirements to meet the disability requirements, and the estimated cost. A copy of this report is sent to the disabled person and the identified options part to the UCL. The onus is then on the department where the disabled person works, to purchase the equipment and then claim the grant back from Access to Work.

Practical advice and help is tailored to suit individual needs for a three-year period, after which time an individual's case is reviewed. Practical help can include aids for communication, special equipment, alterations to premises or the working environment, a support worker, (if practical help is needed at work, or getting to work), assistance with communication (for example a reader at work for someone who is blind, or a communicator for deaf people) and travel where a disabled person is unable to use public transport.

If the person leaves the job, UCL can either keep the equipment or agree that the person in question takes their equipment with them. The department must however notify Access to Work as part of the grant may need to be refunded. Any equipment remaining at UCL should be referred to UCL’s Disability Coordinator.

1. For other disability issues contact your local job centre and ask for the Disability Employment Advisor.

PROCEDURE FOR MAKING AN ACCESS TO WORK (AtW) APPLICATION

1. The applicant must be a disabled person as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act : “ someone with a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term (i.e. likely to last for 12 months or longer), adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

2. The disabled person should contact Access to Work, within 6 weeks of starting employment. See contact address and phone number under AtW on the HR web site. (Unemployed, or employed disabled people needing help with a communicator at a job interview, or transport to the interview should contact AtW immediately on receiving notice of a job interview.) Hearing impaired applicants can either e mail to AtWlondonwest@jobcentreplus.gov.uk or text phone at (020) 8218-2715.

In most cases, an application will be taken over the telephone. Blank forms are not sent out.

3. Once the application form has been received, the applicant should send the original, signed copy back to AtW, with a copy of their job description and/or letter of job confirmation plus any other supporting documentation that is requested at the time of application. This supporting documentation must include the Health & Safety Display Screen Risk Assessment report, if applicable.

4. They will then be assigned to an adviser who will contact the applicant to agree the best way forward. Note: AtW does not cover travel to interview - this is dealt with by the DEA

5. Work place assessment.
Note: This is separate to the usual Health and Safety checks that need to be carried out in the workplace for all staff, which should still be carried out as usual by the employer, regardless of the AtW application i.e. lighting, chair height, PC screen, keyboards etc.

6. Letter to applicant and employer from AtW adviser/assessor notifying outcome of assessment, recommending equipment and financial grant available from AtW Letter includes claim form for employer.

7. Employer buys equipment, sends completed claim form stamped as ‘paid’ with original invoices to AtW to claim back agreed amount spent.

8. Total time from application to reimbursement of costs should be within 60 working days.

The contact details are below.

Access to Work Business Centre
JobcentrePlus
Harrow Jobcentre
Nine Elms Lane
London
SW95 9BH
Tel: 020 8218 2710
Fax: 020 8218 2715
Textphone:
020 8218 2716

Help for Disabled People

HR DEPARTMENTAL CONTACT

Links

Access to Work

Help for Disabled People