Grants & Benefits
Access to Work
Access to work is a Jobcentre Plus programme which offers advice and practical support to people with disabilities and their employers. Access to Work aims to provide support to overcome the effects of disability at work, so that people with disabilities can participate in mainstream employment. Applicants must be in – or be about to enter – paid employment.
Access to Work support could include funding for accessibility issues, assistance with transport, support workers, etc and is decided on a case by case basis.
For full details of how the Access To Work scheme operates contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Job Introduction Scheme
The Job Introduction Scheme is provided by Jobcentre Plus and is used to pay towards the cost of employing people with disabilities for a trial period of employment. It is available for any permanent job which will last more than six months and can be full or part time.
The money is available to the employer for the first 6 weeks of the job, but can be extended for up to 13 weeks if necessary.
The scheme is for use at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus staff in situations where a person with a disability and/or the employer are not sure that a particular job is the right one for the person – or if they can do it at all – because of their disability.
Workstep
Previously known as Supported Employment Programme, Workstep is a Jobcentre Plus programme. Workstep offers help to people with disabilities in finding and keeping a job.
The job must be for at least 16 hours a week. Workstep provides support to develop new skills and progress within the work place. Someone from a specialist organisation usually provides the support. The aim is to progress from the Workstep programme within two years, into open employment – although this does not apply to everyone.
For information about local Workstep programmes contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.
