Access to Work is a government scheme designed to help people with physical or hidden disabilities remain in work. To apply, an individual must have a disability or health condition that impacts their ability to work, be aged 16 or over, and be in paid employment (or about to become self-employed).
“Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support grant scheme that aims to support disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support for people who have a disability or physical or mental health condition. Support can be provided where someone needs support or adaptations beyond reasonable adjustments.”
Importantly, applicants don’t need a formal diagnosis to qualify, but they will need to explain how their condition affects their work. The initial application process can take 24 weeks from start to finish, so people can be left waiting for a response for some time.
What can Access to Work fund?
Access to Work funding can provide funding to support in areas such as:
· Mental health support
· Training and coaching
· Accessibility tools to assist with work tasks
Recently Access to Work have been trying to reduce rates, so you will need to decide whether you can work for what is agreed, or whether you need to look at alternatives, such as packages to help.
How can a Virtual Assistant support someone claiming Access to Work?
Virtual Assistants (VAs) can play a vital role in supporting Access to Work clients. In this context, VAs are often referred to as ‘Support Workers’.
Depending on your skill set and the client's individual needs, you could assist with tasks such as:
· Life admin and personal organisation
· Diary management and scheduling
· General organisational support
· Managing distractions and staying focused
· Project management
The beauty of supporting clients through the Access to Work scheme is that it can open new opportunities for your business. Not only can this work expand your service offering, but you’ll also be making a meaningful difference in your client’s life by providing much-needed support that wouldn’t be possible without funding.
Getting paid as an Access to Work support worker
There are two common ways Access to Work clients may wish to handle payment for your services:
1. Direct payment from Access to Work
· You invoice Access to Work directly, and they pay you via bank transfer.
· This process can take time to set up, particularly for the first payment (currently up to 3 months at the time of writing), and all payments are made in arrears.
· Delays are possible, and as it’s a government scheme, late payment fees cannot be added to overdue invoices. Patience and clear communication are essential when using this method.
2. Payment through the client
· You invoice the client as you would with any other client, and they claim the money back from Access to Work themselves.
While option 1 may be less ideal if you’re relying on steady cash flow, it may be the only way the client can pay you so it’s important to agree on the payment process with your client before starting work. Clear expectations can prevent misunderstandings later on.
How to find work under the Access to Work scheme
Potential clients may inform you during your discovery call that they’ll be using Access to Work funding. This is your opportunity to clarify payment arrangements and ensure both parties are on the same page from the start. (Not sure how to handle a discovery call? Check out my blog post: How to conduct a discovery call as a Virtual Assistant).
Alternatively, you may be able to support your client with their application by getting a variety of quotes to provide to Access to Work which show the real cost of working with a Virtual Assistant.
By understanding how the scheme works and establishing clear agreements from the outset, you can ensure that working with Access to Work clients is both smooth and mutually beneficial.
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