DISABLED workers can now get an up to £60,000 a year non-repayable grant to help them work from home.
It comes as the government's "Access to Work" scheme has been extended for the first time due to the coronavirus crisis to offer grants to those working from home, The Sun can reveal.
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This means people with a disability can now use the cash to buy specialist equipment, such as a screen reader, video remote interpreting, or support worker services, to enable them to do their job from home.
Previously, the cash could only be used for support in the workplace or in getting to the office.
The scheme has also been extended so those needing to go into work can use it for taxis if a health condition means they shouldn't travel on public transport due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If you are anxious about returning to work amid the crisis, you can also get mental health support through Access to Work with a tailored package for up to nine months – you don't need to use the grant to pay for this as it's free.
How do I apply for an Access to Work grant and what can I use it for?
THE Access to Work scheme pays grants of up to £60,000 a year per person to help disabled workers stay in their jobs.
Examples of what you can use the cash for include:
- adaptations to the equipment you use
- special equipment or software
- British Sign Language interpreters and video relay service support, lip speakers or note takers
- adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
- taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
- a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
- disability awareness training for your colleagues
- the cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job
Free confidential support and advice from a trained healthcare professional from the Mental Health Support Service is also available under the scheme.
You can apply for Access to Work online at Gov.uk/access-to-work or over the phone on 0800 1217479.
Meanwhile, people considered to be "extremely clinically vulnerable" – for example they've got a respiratory condition or had an organ transplant -can also now get the grants via a fast-track system for the first-time.
This means they should get access to the cash within a few days if no assessment is needed, or within seven to ten days on average if an assessment is needed.
That's down from the usual 20 working days on average.
The initiative last year provided a combined £129.1 million to 36,000 people.
Minister for disabled people, health and work, Justin Tomlinson, said: “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.”
What is the Access to Work scheme?
The Access to Work scheme is designed to help workers aged 16 and above in England, Scotland, and Wales who are disabled or have a physical or mental health condition stay in employment.
It's an unlimited fund that pays out up to £60,000 per person per year – and as this is a grant it means you don't have to pay the money back.
Grants are tailor made to your needs and you’ll be assigned an Access to Work adviser who will work with both you and your employer to assess what equipment or help is best.
You or your employer will buy the items or services and Access to Work will pay the money back, up to the amount of the grant you’ve been offered.
If your Access to Work grant is ending soon, you need to apply to renew it. You can apply up to 12 weeks before the date it ends.
Do I qualify for the scheme?
Crucially, you must earn at least the national minimum wage to apply if you're employed, or make at least £6,136 a year – the lower earnings limit – if you're self-employed.
And while there's no maximum earnings cap, you might not get a grant if you already get certain benefits.
Those on Universal Credit, jobseeker's allowance, and income support, for example, can still get help from Access to Work if they work more than one hour a week.
But those on employment and support allowance can only get help from Access to Work if their work coach agrees to it and they work less than 16 hours a week earning under £140 a week.
There's a different scheme in place in Northern Ireland, while those in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are also excluded.
Here's how to apply for free grants of up to £10,000 if you’ve recently lost your job.
It comes as the second coronavirus self-employment support grant launched this week – here's how to claim, the deadline and eligibility explained.
You may also be able to claim tax breaks if you're working from home – MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis explains how.
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