General legal guide - Employment Schemes: Workpath

Introduction

Jobcentre Plus runs 3 WorkPath programmes which provide assistance to Applicants looking for employment or Applicants who wish to stay in employment. They are:

1. Access to Work;
2. Work Preparation;
3. WORKSTEP.

1. Access to Work

The Access to Work Scheme provides practical advice and support for employers and employees to overcome work related obstacles resulting from disabilities.

Access to Work can help with the following:

• Equipment;
• Adapting premises;
• A Support Worker;
• A Communicator support for interviews;
• The cost of travelling to work if the Applicant cannot travel by public transport.

Criteria

An Applicant can take part in the Access to Work scheme if:

• They are in a paid job; or
• They are unemployed and about to start a job; or
• They are self-employed; AND
• Their disability or health condition stops them from being able to do parts of their job.

An Applicant who fulfils the above criteria should contact their Disability Employment Advisor at their local Jobcentre Plus who will assess the Applicant's circumstances and make recommendations about the support they feel is appropriate.

It is the responsibility of the employer (or the Applicant if they are self-employed) to arrange the recommended support and purchase of the necessary equipment. The employer can then reclaim these costs from Access to Work.

Any support provided by Access to Work will be reviewed after 3 years.

Amount - Access to Work Grant

The amount of help you receive from Access to Work will depend on the support you need, how long you have been employed for and whether you are self-employed.

Access to Work can pay for the full cost of the following regardless of your employment status:

• Support workers;
• Fares to work;
• Communicator Support at interviews.

Access to Work can pay up to 100% of the approved costs if the Applicant is:

• Unemployed or starting a new job;
• Self-employed;
• Employed if they have been in position for less than 6 weeks.

Access to work will pay a proportion of the approved costs if the Applicant:

• Has been employed in their position for over 6 weeks;
• Requires special equipment or adaptations to premises.

2. Work Preparation

This is a course which provides individually tailored programmes to assess an Applicant's employment needs related to their disability. The course can help an Applicant get ready to start work or offer a range of support to enable an Applicant to stay in work.

An Applicant can take part in a Work Preparation course if they are employed or unemployed. Generally, the course will last from a few hours up to 6 weeks, although it can last longer if necessary.

3. WORKSTEP

WORKSTEP is an individually tailored programme which provides support to a disabled Applicant who is facing complex barriers to getting and keeping a job.

The course provides an opportunity for Applicants to work in a variety of different jobs and in a wide range of organisations so that the Applicant can develop and improve their job skills and have the opportunity to progress through training and support.

Applicants who wish to take part in the Work Preparation Course or WORKSTEP should contact their Disability Employment Advisor at their local Jobcentre Plus who will assess whether they are eligible to take part in the course.

Further Information

Jobcentre Plus
0800 055 6688
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

The Benefits Enquiry Line
0800 88 22 00
www.direct.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
www.adviceguide.org.uk