Access to Work scheme extended to provide extra support to disabled workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

'Fast-tracked' application process also introduced for those in the clinically extremely vulnerable group

The Access to Work scheme has been extended to provide extra support to disabled workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Announcing the change today, the government said -

'COVID-19 is changing the way we work and impacting working environments and arrangements. With many employers asking workers to adapt to a new environment, Access to Work can play a key role in supporting disabled people to retain, return to and move into employment. '

Designed to protect thousands of jobs 'in these unprecedented times', the new extensions to the scheme will provide - 

• grant funding for those who need support to work from home because of COVID-19 to help pay for special equipment such as a screen reader or video remote interpreting or support worker services;
• financial support with things like taxi fares for people travelling into the office where, due to their health condition, public transport isn’t a safe option at the moment; and
• tailored mental health support for up to nine months for those who are anxious about returning to work and who need support.

NB - the government says that applications for funding can be 'fast-tracked' for people in the clinically extremely vulnerable group.

For more information, see New help on offer for disabled people working from home during the pandemic from gov.uk