FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Access to Work
The government scheme Access to Work (ATW) is run by Jobcentre Plus and provides financial assistance towards the extra costs of employing someone with a disability. It is available to anyone who is unemployed, employed or self employed.
Who is eligible?
To benefit from the scheme you have to have a disability which is likely to last for 12 months or more. The scheme is intended to provide any extra equipment or support you may need to enable you to do your job. However, any equipment needed for the job must be supplied by the employer.
Assistance available
Approved costs for equipment or help such as
- personal readers
- specialist software
- communicators & notetakers
- support workers
- drivers
- car adaptations
- job coaches which support a disabled person at work
- alterations to premises (but not those that would be required anyway to comply with part 3.3 of the DDA)
- travel to work costs (usually 100% of approved costs are paid)
The funding available through ATW depends upon the employment status of the person with the disability at the time of the application. For those people who have been previously self-employed or unemployed, or those who have been in a job for less than 6 weeks, 100% of approved costs will be paid. For those employees who have been in their work for 6 weeks or more, the Employment Service will contribute 80% of approved costs above £300 and up to £10,000 and all the costs over £10,000 over a 3 year period. The award will be reviewed again after a three year period.
However, all extra approved costs of travel to work, communicator support for job interviews and all extra costs for self-employed people are funded by the Employment Service.
How to Claim
Information and assessment for your suitability for this scheme is available via the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at the local jobcentre or the Disability Services Team or Jobcentre Plus. Applications must be made by the disabled person rather than the employer.
Camberley Jobcentre Plus
185-187 London Road
Camberley
Surrey GU15 3JSD
Telephone: 01276 893939
Guildford Jobcentre Plus
Leys House
86-88 Woodbridge Road
Guildford
Surrey GU1 4QD
Telephone: 01483 442400
Redhill Jobcentre Plus
15 London Road
Redhill
Surrey RH1 1BQ
Telephone: 01737 755800
Weybridge Jobcentre Plus
Fortune House
Monument Hill
Weybridge
Surrey KT13 8RN
Telephone: 01932 748000
Woking Jobcentre Plus
15-29 Goldsworth Road
Woking
Surrey GU21 6JZ
Telephone: 01483 702100
Access to Work
Norfolk House
High Street
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex BN43 5EN
Telephone: 01273 364750
Further Information
The Disabled Living Foundation
Can provide advice and guidance on a wide range of equipment.
www.dlf.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 130 9177
AbilityNet
Can provide information on pieces of computer equipment designed or modified to meet people's special needs.
www.abilitynet.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 269545
+ Additional Information: Employment at Direct.gov
More information on living with a disability in Surrey can be found at www.askenid.org.uk and in the leaflet ‘Information for You’ available from SID (Social Information on Disability), 0800 0439395.