Hi, my name is DDDannn! Does anyone else use the Access to Work scheme?

DDDannn
DDDannn Community member Posts: 5 Connected
edited February 2022 in Work
Hello,
I run a small business and use the government Access to Work scheme and would like to know if anyone else uses it and whats it like for them

Comments

  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,925 Championing
    Hello @DDDannn

    Welcome to Scope's forum. It is great to see you have joined us. How are you today? Lots of our community members have experience with Access to Work so I hope you can hear their stories soon.

    Is there a particular reason you are looking for this information? or just a connection? I am just wondering so we can support you the best we can if you have any specific questions or anything, in particular, you would like our support with.

    In the meantime, you may find our discussion section about work and employment useful. If you wish to explore this further, you can find it at https://forum.scope.org.uk/categories/employment  :)
  • Lizzygb
    Lizzygb Community member Posts: 12 Contributor
    I have just started using access to work to get funding to provide a support worker, specifically my current support worker who is my PA for personal care and everything else. I haven't yet sent in our 1st invoice, so it's all new to me still
  • DDDannn
    DDDannn Community member Posts: 5 Connected
    Hello Lizzy,
    If need any advice do get in touch. Just be aware that the people you are dealing with are incompetent so make sure everything you do is correct. If you are using the new claim form make sure you take copies of that and the invoice and keep a spreadsheet of what you are allotted and what you use as they do not allow access to us to our account so we cannot keep an eye on things.
    Hope that helps.
    Dan
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    I use the Access to Work scheme and while I found the process dragged from initially claiming to having the funding in place, I always found those I dealt with very lovely and understanding. There was some misunderstanding when communicating via email as the case worker only read emails with my ref number in the subject line, despite not telling me that, but in all other aspects the interactions were enjoyable.
  • DDDannn
    DDDannn Community member Posts: 5 Connected
    You misunderstand Ross, I have no complaint about the staff they are indeed very nice however the system is broken, they are usually very short staffed, when they make changes they do not communicate and any little excuse to return a claim is used. It is not fit for purpose especially if you are self employed.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,925 Championing
    Hello @DDDannn

    Thanks for your response. Please know we hear you. Systems can be difficult. Is there anything we can do to help make it at least a little more manageable or navigatable for you?  :)
  • DDDannn
    DDDannn Community member Posts: 5 Connected
    Hello, I am talking about Access to Work systems not Scopes systems I think you misunderstand.
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,925 Championing
    @DDDannn - I knew you meant Access to Work. Don't worry but thanks for clarifying just in case! We will do anything we can to support you (with anything). How can we help the best today?  :)