Work and Access - In-Work Support Grant

Work and Access is a scheme to support inclusive employment by offering funding to adjust workplaces and make them more accessible for people with disabilities.

Funding is available to qualifying job candidates, employees, self-employed people, and employers.

There are 7 categories of Work and Access support:

• Workplace Needs Assessment
• Communication Support
• In-Work Support
• Personal Reader
• Work Equipment
• Workplace Adaptation
• Disability Equality and Inclusion Training
  

This page explains the In-Work Support Grant. Depending on your needs, you may be entitled to more than one support at the same time.  Check the Work and Access Programme details in full before you apply for any support.

The In-Work Support Grant provides funding towards specialist support if you have a disability or health condition and need help to do your job or re-train if you move to another role.

New or existing employees or self-employed people can apply for funding. You can make the application yourself or someone else can apply on your behalf.

A workplace needs assessment must be carried out before you can get in-work support to show that you need this support.

You can apply for funding towards a work coach, a lámh support worker, specialist or other communication support worker such as a sign language interpreter or lip reader.

What is a work coach?

A work coach offers specialised employment support to help you stay in your job and provides support to your employer.

What is a lámh support worker?

A lámh support worker works with a lámh user.

Lámh is a manual sign system used by people with intellectual disability and communication needs.

Finding a specialist

To receive support, the specialist support worker or work coach must be qualified or experienced (or both), and have a track record in occupational evaluation or workplace assessment.

Suitably qualified specialists include:

• Occupational therapist
• Occupational psychologist
• Occupational physician
• Occupational health nurse
• Ergonomic specialist
• Chartered physiotherapist who may provide once-off or occasional consultations

Lámh support workers must be qualified or experienced (or both).

There is no pre-approved list of specialist providers. Specialists should be registered with a relevant professional body such as the Register of Health and Social Care Professionals (CORU) or the Association of Occupational Therapists.

Specialists who work for the employer or companies connected to the employer are not eligible for funding.

Finding training

The grants can cover training services if identified under a Workplace Needs Assessment. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will pay the training costs directly to the service provider.

The training must not be available through the DSP directly or any other state provider (for example Solas or ETBs, Teagasc).

You can get up to €12,500 a year for hiring a work coach, specialist support, or lámh support worker.

You can also get up to 30 hours of communication support for contact hours with the specialist if needed.

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is developing an online application process, which will be available soon.

To apply for any of the supports available through the Work and Access Programme, follow these steps:

Step 1: Complete the application form

• Request the form from your local Intreo Office or download it from gov.ie.
• If you are unsure about the support needed, you only complete the relevant section on the WA1 Form.
• Provide quotes to support your application (see Quotes in Appendix 6 of the Operational Guidelines).

Step 2: Eligibility check

• Send your completed WA1 Form by post to Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11
• Your eligibility will be checked by the Work and Access Section

Step 3: Assessment and approval

• An officer will contact you directly to discuss your application.
• If eligible, you will be told about the next steps and any additional sections of the application form to complete.
• Approval for eligibility does not guarantee funding.
• Final approval will be made after you meet specific requirements set by Department officers.

Appeals

Work and Access is an administrative scheme, so you have no right to appeal a particular decision on your application.

If you are unhappy with the decision, you can ask to have your case reviewed by another DSP officer who was not involved in the original decision.

Write to the Department of Social Protection within 21 days of the decision, explaining why you think the decision is wrong and provide any proof you have to support your argument.

For more information about the Work and Access programme:

• Read the Department of Social Protection Operational Guidelines for the Work and Access Programme
• Visit your local Intreo Centre
• Email: WorkandAccess@welfare.ie
• Write to: Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11