LAVANDULA SUPPORT
ACCESS TO WORK
If you have a disability or health condition, you may be entitled to help from Access to Work , a scheme funded by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP). This grant can help you get or stay in work if you have a disability. Disabilities are defined under the Equality Act 2010.
There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant, it depends on your individual needs, which can sometimes mean that the application process can be confusing and overwhelming for some.
We have specialist expertise in understanding epilepsy and other disabilities, and the impacts it can have on you in your workplace. We can help you identify the type of support that would be most helpful to you.
Access to Work is not means tested or based on your earnings, instead there is a simple eligibility criteria, which we can check that you meet in our first phone call.
How Access to Work can help you
Support Worker
Access to Work can pay for you to have a support worker in your workplace for a number of hours a week. This is a service we provide.
Specialist Equipment
Access to Work can pay for assistive equipment and specialist software. We can help you to identify what will work best for you and support you to use these adaptations.
Travel to Work
Access to Work can fund your travel to work if you cannot use public transport. We can offer private transport with a travel buddy.
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Can you help me with my Access to Work application?We can support you to complete and submit your application, and be on hand throughout the process. I have specialist expertise in understanding epilepsy and the impacts it can have on you in your workplace.
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How are Access to Work grants paid?An Access to Work case manager, from DWP will develop a tailored package of support for you. Access to Work allocate the grant to you, but the money is never paid to you. We can apply directly to Access to Work to be paid out of the grant, for any services we deliver.
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How much is the Access to Work grant?After you apply for Access to Work, a case manager from DWP will contact you to discuss what help you could get (if you would like, we can sit in on the call with you). The maximum amount is £66,000 per year.
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Do I have to tell my employer?You will need to name a contact at your work, this could be your manager or a member of staff from HR. Access to Work will contact your employer for more information.
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Can I use Access to Work if I am self employed?Yes, we can also support people who are self-employed. For Access to Work purposes, self-employment is: operating a business either on your own or in partnership, or working for an employer on a self-employed basis operating a franchised business on a self-employed basis possessing a Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number The process of applying and accessing support is the same.
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Can I use Access to Work if I work from home?Yes, your workplace can include your home if you work from there some or all of the time. We can also support people who work from home.
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What is a 'paid job'?A paid job can be full or part-time and can include: employment self-employment an apprenticeship a work trial or work experience an internship a work placement
Leona has supported a huge number and range of people and groups in her role. As part of her team she has supported the implementation of new groups based on service user feedback. She does this in a truly person centred manner, putting individual's at the heart of everything she does. Not only this but she drives our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' work, supports well being initiatives, commits to, and engages in development opportunities and generally just gets involved and stuck in with the organisation.
Co-worker at Epilepsy Action