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Access to work scheme (ATW)

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Access to Work is a Government funding scheme run by Job Centre Plus. As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and employers, Jobcentre Plus pays a grant, through ATW, towards any extra employment costs that result from a person’s impairment.

For you as an employee

Access to Work aims to assist disabled people who are in paid employment or with a job to start.

ATW aims to provide practical support and help to meet additional costs associated with overcoming work related obstacles resulting from disability.

How to apply for Access to Work

Either you or your employer should contact your local Job Centre. Ask to be referred to either the ATW Adviser or the ATW Business Centre, who will tell you more about Access to Work and how it works in your area.

Contact Your Nearest Business Centre

Find out details of your nearest Business Centre from the Employer’s Forum on Disability website (click link below)

http://www.employers-forum.co.uk/www/guests/info/factsheets/sheet1.htm

Basic conditions to see if you are eligible for ATW

In order to receive Access to Work assistance, you will need to satisfy the following basic conditions. You therefore must:

Be disabled (and the disability is likely to last for 12 months or longer)

Be in need of support at a job interview with an employer
Have a job to start

Be in a job, whether as an employed or self-employed person
Be in need of support to progress in, or take up work on a more equal basis with non-disabled colleagues
Be resident in Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland, with a job in Great Britain (support can, however, be used to cover the client for overseas visits providing the job is based in the UK).

Other eligibility criteria may apply and the ATW Adviser will be able to advise you in more detail about the conditions that apply and whether or not you are eligible for help.

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