What Is The Access To Work Taxi Scheme?

If you are wondering about what the Access To Work Taxi Scheme is, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post. In addition to this, we will also discuss the eligibility criteria for the Access To Work Taxi Scheme as well as advise on how to apply for it.

What Is The Access To Work Taxi Scheme?

The Access to Work Taxi Scheme is a UK Government initiative that provides financial assistance to disabled people who need to take a taxi to and from work. 

The scheme is a discretionary grant that covers the cost of a taxi journey up to a certain amount and is available to people who are unable to use public transport because of their disability.

The main aim of the Access to Work Taxi Scheme is to support disabled individuals in their commute to work and encourage them to become or remain employed.

It applies to individuals who are:

• paid employees or self-employed
• apprentices or trainees
• supported interns or doing self-directed work experience
• working at Jobcentre Plus promoted work trials
• commuting to a job interview

You can also apply for the Access to Work Taxi Scheme if you are waiting to start a job but have received a job offer letter, a job start date or a letter confirming your interview.

The level of funding that an eligible claimant can get through the Access To Work Taxi Scheme depends on the following factors:

• whether they are employed or self-employed
• the number of months (or years) they’ve spent at a workplace

That said, the Access To Work Taxi Scheme covers about 80% of approved transport costs under £10,000.

Who Is Eligible For The Access To Work Taxi Scheme?

To be eligible for the Access to Work Taxi Scheme, you must:

• be aged 16 years or older
• live in England, Scotland or Wales
• have a disability or a health condition that makes it difficult or impossible to use public transport 
• be receiving benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance or Disability Living Allowance 

If you meet all of these criteria, you can apply for the scheme by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Once you have been approved for the scheme, you will be given a certificate that you can show to taxi drivers. This certificate entitles you to a discount on your fares.

How Do You Apply For The Access To Work Taxi Scheme?

There are many ways to apply for the Access To Work Taxi Scheme. You can either apply online through the Government’s official website. 

Otherwise, you can contact the ATW helpline either through a telephone call at 0800 121 7479 or through textphone at 0800 121 7579, from Monday to Friday, between 9 am to 5 pm.

Alternatively, you can write to Access to Work to discuss your needs at the following address:

Access to Work

Operational Support Unit

Harrow Jobcentre Plus

Mail Handling Site A

Wolverhampton

WV98 1JE 

Conclusion:

The Access To Work Taxi Scheme is a Government supported discretionary grant that provides financial support to disabled employees so that their commute to and from work is made easier and affordable. It applies to those individuals who are unable to commute in public transport due to their disability and need to travel by taxi.

References:

Access to Work | Disability Rights UK

Access to Work » Transport for All

Access to Work grant scheme | Disability charity Scope UK

get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is – GOV.UK