In work: using Access to Work – British Sign Language Guide

Published: Monday 21 October 2024 | No Comments

Grouped under: For Professionals

This resource is kindly funded by Churchill Fellow

A short video for deaf workers explaining how to use your Access to Work grant at work, including: 

-How to claim 

-How to plan your budget 

-Renewing your ATW 

If you’d like to find out more on what Access to Work is and how to apply, please watch our Access to Work video. 

How to claim 

You can claim money from your grant online or by post. It is a good idea to get into the habit of claiming every month. You can only claim back costs from up to 9 months ago. Costs from longer ago than 9 months cannot be claimed. 

By post 

Use your Access to Work claim form that came with your decision letter. Fill out the details of all the support you received. Include receipts and invoices requested in the claim form. You can include copies if you do not have the originals.  

You may need to get your employer to confirm that you have received that support by signing the form. 

You then post the form to the address on the form. Access to Work will then review, approve and pay your claim. 

Online 

To claim online, you need to make an account.  

To create an account you need: 

• An email address 

• Access to a mobile phone 

• Your National Insurance number 

You’ll need to prove your identity using details from two sources. These could include: 

• A valid UK passport 

• A valid UK driving licence 

• A payslip within the last 3 months or current P60 

• Your bank accounts, loans, mortgages or credit agreements 

• Your most recent Self Assessment tax return 

• Your most recent tax credit payment, if you claim them 

If you cannot prove your identity with details from two of these sources, you need to claim by post. 

Once you have created your account, you can fill out the online form. Provide details of all the support you received, as well as any receipts or invoices. You also need to provide the bank details for the person or company who will receive the money from the grant. 

You may also need the details of a workplace contact who can confirm the support you’re claiming for. 

If you need any help with your claim, or setting up your online account, you can call the ATW helpline. The helpline includes a video relay service. 

How to plan your budget 

One thing that is rarely covered on information about ATW is how to manage a budget. You will receive or have access to a potentially large sum of money for your support needs. This grant has to last all year, so it is important you plan ahead on how to use this.  

Some examples of things you might like to think about: 

Breaking down your budget into a monthly allowance 

Separate your budget out into areas for different costs, and then work out a monthly budget for each one. For example: 

How much money do you have in total for your communication support needs? If you divide this by 12 (for 12 months in the year), you will know your total monthly budget. This will help ensure you don’t run out of your money before the end of the year. 

Thinking about different types of support 

It can be worthwhile thinking about how much different types of support cost. For example, an interpreter might cost more than a CSW or notetaker. Think about when you might need different types of support. For example, if interpreters are your most expensive resource, when is it vital to use them? Examples might be times when it is important you get high-quality, accurate translation, like meetings. Planning this expense first means you have your most important needs covered.    

Next you can think about other resources, such as a CSW and notetaker, and when you might like to use those.  

Planning your expenses and creating a budget for each month makes sure that you can access the support you need, and you do not run out of money. 

TIP: consider factoring in some budget for ‘unexpected costs’ each month. For example, you could set aside 5-10% of your monthly budget for unexpected support costs. 

TIP: You also need to ensure you spend  the majority of your budget each year. If you have a large amount left over, then Access to Work may question your budget. This may affect your allowance in future years.  

Renewing your ATW 

Your Access to Work decision letter tells you when your grant is due to run out. If you are still in work and need to continue funding ongoing support costs, then you should apply to renew. You can do this up to 12 weeks before the end date of your grant. Your can apply to renew online, or via the Access to Work helpline (including video relay service). 

We hope this has been a useful resource to help apply for and use Access to Work at work. Good luck!