If you are deaf or have hearing loss, you are protected by the Equality Act 2010. This means that employers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure that you are not put at a disadvantage with your hearing coworkers.
Reasonable adjustments could include:-
- moving your desk so you don’t have your back to the rest of the office and have a good view of the room.
- Allowing you to choose the best place to sit in meetings.
- Following up verbal instructions with an email to clarify what’s needed.
- Teaching their staff deaf awareness.
If you need other support, such as specialised equipment or interpreters, you can apply for Access to Work. Access to work is a government grant to assist people in getting the help they need at work or for attending interviews.
The grant doesn’t have to be paid back and will not affect any other benefits you receive.
Even if you are not eligible for Access to Work, your employer still must make reasonable adjustments to support you in doing your job.
Am I eligible for Access to Work?
To be eligible for Access to work you need to meet the following criteria:
- You have a disability or health condition that impacts your ability to work.
- You are 16 or older.
- You have a paid job, are self-employed, or have a job offer.
- A letter confirming your interview.
- A job offer letter.
- A job start date.
- Starting a work trial or work experience via Jobcentre Plus
- You work in England, Scotland, or Wales (separate arrangements exist for Northern Ireland).
Unpaid internships or traineeships are not supported by Access to Work unless the work placement programme is supported by the Department for Education. Volunteer work is not covered by Access to Work.
How to apply for Access to Work
You can apply for Access to Work online, by phone, or by post.
Visit the website at https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply you can check your eligibility and apply online.
When you apply you will need the following information:
- Your National Insurance number.
- Your workplace address and the name of your employer or your own business details if self-employed.
- The details of your condition and how it affects your work.
- The contact information of your manager or employer.
- Information about the type of help you need, such as special equipment, a support worker, or help with travel costs to and from work. Once you have filled out all the required information, submit your application
If you need any support with your application you can contact Access to Work via Relay UK or text.
Textphone: 0800 121 7579
Relay UK : 18001 then 0800 121 7479
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service is available on the Access to Work website.
If you would prefer to apply via post, you can write a letter with your details and request an application form.
Send the letter to:
Access to Work
Harrow Jobcentre Plus
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1JE
What happens next?
Once you have applied and are eligible for support, an Access to Work advisor will visit your workplace to assess which parts of your job are difficult for you. They will make recommendations for any training, support or equipment they think will benefit you at work.
Depending on the circumstances, your employer may be asked to cover part of the costs. They will also be responsible for ordering any equipment and arranging training.
If you need to make regular payments, for example, if you are using interpreters, you will need to make a claim from your grant by sending invoices or receipts to Access to Work. You can do this online or via post. You have 9 months to claim for costs.
If your needs or your job role changes you can request a review of your current support.
How much can I get?
The grant may cover the costs of;
- Support workers – if you need a BSL interpreter, notetaker or lip speaker.
- Video relay service which may be BSL or speech to text depending on your needs
- Deaf awareness training for your coworkers
- Any assistive devices that you need such as microphones in meetings, amplified telephone, hearing loop, smoke alarm systems or doorbells.
The grant is currently capped at twice the National Average Salary, so it may not cover a full time interpreter if you need one.
Whilst there is no appeal process for those who want to appeal a decision regarding support, you still have a right to ask for another assessment by a different workplace assessor.
The website http://www.deafatw.com has more information about how to challenge decisions.
Your grant will have an end date. If you still need support after this time, e.g. for interpreters, you will need to renew your claim. You can do this up to 12 weeks before your current grant ends.
For more information and to apply for Access to Work, visit the government website here https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
In recent years there has been a lot of publicity about delays for Access to Work assessments and payments. Don’t let this put you off asking for the support you are entitled to. Online applications were introduced in April 2024 to improve the backlog, and more improvements might be on their way.
