Access to work

NNIF

Hi. I hope everybody is doing well. I just wanted to share my experiences of claiming assistance from the DWP through Access to work.

For those of you who have read my PIP claim post you'll know that I was awarded standard rate for both care and mobility. I have post-traumatic osteoarthritis of my right ankle. Due to the successful PIP claim and 10 points for mobility, I was also then able to claim a disabled persons freedom pass and a blue badge. Which was of course excellent. However, I was still struggling due to having a long (for me, that is... 0.3 miles) walk from my home to the nearest bus stop and then between the tube station and work.

Whilst out on a social occasion four weeks ago I was told about access to work. It is a grant scheme by the DWP that aim to support disabled people to stay in work.

I applied and after a very quick and painless process I have been awarded taxi transportation to and from work and also any additional journeys I need to make that are work related. (The only thing that made it take four weeks was waiting for my GP to return from annual leave).

This support is invaluable as I live in West London and work in East London. I was skeptical that I would receive help as the cost of taxis would be astronomical. However to my surprise, I have received funding until August 2018.

If anyone else is in work and needs support... look into it. It provides more than just transportation costs but can also help fund specialist equipment, adaptations and training for staff.

stickywicket

Thanks for that, NNF. I'm sure some will find it helpful and useful. This particular forum is, perhaps inevitably, weighted with tales of woe. Your determination to work, coupled with your helpful and positive attitude is a tonic

Slosh

Access to work is great. Following mine I got office equipment and linked training which made a real difference. I'm impressed though that you got 10 points for mobility, I was not given any points for this despite using crutches to walk, a blue badge awarded by my Local Authority and the fact I had problems walking at my assessment within the 50m distance. The reason? Assumptions about my working environment. At the time I was so relieved to get the 8 points for daily living I didn't push it, wish I had now as I would then be able to get a disabled parking bay outside my house.

FranceEfuaBrown1262

Hi I applied for Access to Work grant for taxi fares to and from work due to really terrible bilateral osteoarthritis in my knees. It has been unbearable to use public transport and I am in tears every morning and evening commuting. I applied in August and had to send in a doctor's confirmation (that had to wait weeks until I followed it up, that delayed things too). I sent in quotes for 3 taxi firms but have not heard anything up till now. I am really worried that I may not have been successful in my application. My caseworker does not respond when I ask about the progress of my application; he only says its likely to be approved but gives so many excuses for the delay. I am really very depressed now. Why does it take so long? If I were not successful would they have told me by now? Thank you

[Deleted User]

Hi FranceEfuaBrown1262 and welcome to the forum.
That sound like such a frustrating and worrying situation to be in.
I don't have personal experience of applying for Access to Work myself, but hopefully there may be forum members who can give you an idea of how long their applications took.
Your caseworker doesn't sound terribly helpful. It might be worth ringing our helpline (0800 520 0520) as they may be able to offer advice on handling the situation and chasing up the application progress.
Just a thought - is your employer involved in this and do you have a good relationship with them? Asking them to chase it up on your behalf might be a possibility.
I hope you don't have to wait too much longer and the application will prove successful - do let us know how you get on.
best wishes,
Ann

FranceEfuaBrown1262

moderator wrote:

Hi FranceEfuaBrown1262 and welcome to the forum.
That sound like such a frustrating and worrying situation to be in.
I don't have personal experience of applying for Access to Work myself, but hopefully there may be forum members who can give you an idea of how long their applications took.
Your caseworker doesn't sound terribly helpful. It might be worth ringing our helpline (0800 520 0520) as they may be able to offer advice on handling the situation and chasing up the application progress.
Just a thought - is your employer involved in this and do you have a good relationship with them? Asking them to chase it up on your behalf might be a possibility.
I hope you don't have to wait too much longer and the application will prove successful - do let us know how you get on.
best wishes,
Ann

FranceEfuaBrown1262

Hello
Just to say my Access to Work taxi grant was approved this morning! I am delighted. Thank you!

FranceEfuaBrown1262

NNIF wrote:

Hi. I hope everybody is doing well. I just wanted to share my experiences of claiming assistance from the DWP through Access to work.

For those of you who have read my PIP claim post you'll know that I was awarded standard rate for both care and mobility. I have post-traumatic osteoarthritis of my right ankle. Due to the successful PIP claim and 10 points for mobility, I was also then able to claim a disabled persons freedom pass and a blue badge. Which was of course excellent. However, I was still struggling due to having a long (for me, that is... 0.3 miles) walk from my home to the nearest bus stop and then between the tube station and work.

Whilst out on a social occasion four weeks ago I was told about access to work. It is a grant scheme by the DWP that aim to support disabled people to stay in work.

I applied and after a very quick and painless process I have been awarded taxi transportation to and from work and also any additional journeys I need to make that are work related. (The only thing that made it take four weeks was waiting for my GP to return from annual leave).

This support is invaluable as I live in West London and work in East London. I was skeptical that I would receive help as the cost of taxis would be astronomical. However to my surprise, I have received funding until August 2018.

If anyone else is in work and needs support... look into it. It provides more than just transportation costs but can also help fund specialist equipment, adaptations and training for staff.

Annfield

Hi FranceEfuaBrown1262. I also contacted Access to Work a couple of years ago and they were great. I drive to work. Sometimes in pain but my car is my independence so I intend to drive for as long as I can. They helped me with office equipment and my office chair is fantastic. It massages and has a heat pad. I had no idea I could get anything like this. I will be contacting them again this week for items that they suggested at the time but I didn't feel I needed then but do now. Anything to keep going and keep working