Access to Work Questions

RainyDays1999

Hello everyone,

I have recently got myself a job in the retail sector, so I'm happy about that. I have OCD, anxiety, depression and Asperger's, however the retail company I'm working for are awake of my issues and are willing to help me.

Because the shop is in the countryside, there are buses that go there, but I feel quite scared and vulnerable to get the bus there and back home because of I look kind of vulnerable and an easy target to people. So my support worker told me about Access to Work and how I could get transport to work and from work.

By the way, I am on ESA and PIP. I will be doing permitted work under ESA. I'm in the WRAG group for ESA and for PIP I get standard rate for personal care only. I did not score anything on mobility despite me not being able to plan and follow an unfamiliar route.

So, my questions are for the Access to Work are:

1. Can I get to and from work via a taxi and will the government pay for it? I'm only going to be working part-time, so it would only be 4 - 6 journeys a week.

2. What can I apply for? Could I apply for driving lessons because in the long run that would make my life easier and I wouldn't have to keep relying on taxis.

3. Do I have to let my employer know about the Access to Work that I'm going to be applying for?

Comms69

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work - all info here, and it does say taxis may be part of that scheme.

Diamandis

They will usually pay for taxis if you're eligible. You will be expected to get three quotes from taxi companies to present to them.

Its unlikely they would pay for driving lessons.

Your employer will know as they have to sign documents to.comfirm when you were at work.

w06

Access to work is quite a complicated process of application and assessment https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work

You mention three different reasons why you'll need help; not having learned to drive, feeling scared and vulnerable and not being able to plan a journey. The later would seem to make learning to drive a bit of a moot point.

Your work place would be involved in the application process

GlasweJen

When I claimed access to work taxis they deducted part of my DLA mobility award. When I lost the DLA transitioning to PIP I lost the access to work package

[Deleted User]

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/207683/response/514846/attach/5/AtWguidanceV14.pdf

Very long - 104 pages - but helpful

Sncjw

Applicants getting benefit
99. Customers getting certain benefits are not normally able to get AtW. 100. These benefits are:
• Incapacity Benefit (IB), including the award of National Insurance credits only
• Employment Support Allowance (ESA) including the award of National Insurance credits only
• Severe Disability Allowance
• Income Support paid as a result of illness. 101. Exceptions to the above are where the claimant:
• is going for an interview, or
• starting a Work Trial, or
• has a job to start, and will stop claiming when employment begins or
• is on Permitted Work Higher Level, Permitted Work PCA Exempt or Supported Permitted Work.

Sncjw

Travel to Work can provide short or long term financial assistance to disable people who incur extra costs in travelling to and from work because of their disability. It is used to reimburse an agreed portion of the costs of taxis or adaptions to vehicles.

Sncjw

A health professional will need to determine if you need to use taxis to get to work and also the staff at atw will see if the disability prevents you using public transport.

Sncjw

You say you can’t follow a journey that’s unfamiliar but surely after a week or so the journey to work will become familiar

Brynsam

Why not ask the support worker who mentioned the scheme to you and is familiar with you and your particular circumstances?