Everything You Need to Know About Access to Work

As a small business owner or self-employed professional in the creative and advertising industry, you likely face numerous challenges that make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Managing day-to-day tasks, growing your business, and still finding time for yourself can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling everything alone. For individuals with disabilities or health conditions, these challenges can be even more pronounced. This is where the Access to Work funding initiative can make a significant difference.

Whether you’ve never heard of Access to Work before or are familiar with it but unsure how it works, this article will provide everything you need to know about how this government initiative can support you in maintaining your business, enabling you to thrive - while also explaining why employing a virtual assistant might be the perfect solution.

Access to Work is a UK government initiative designed to provide financial support to employees and self-employed individuals who have a disability or long-term health condition that affects their ability to work. This funding helps cover the costs of workplace adjustments, making it easier to manage your job and continue to perform at your best. Many business owners don’t realise that this scheme can be a simple solution to secure the additional support they need, particularly through employing a virtual assistant.

As a business owner, imagine having a competent, flexible, and efficient right-hand person to help manage the administrative aspects of your work. With the right virtual assistant, you can plan, manage, organise, and create more time for your core responsibilities - enabling you to work smarter, not harder.

To qualify for Access to Work funding, the following criteria must be met:

• Employment Status: You must be an employee, self-employed person, or apprentice.
• Health Condition: You must have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your ability to perform your job effectively.
• Location: You must be based in England, Scotland, or Wales.
• Age: You need to be over 16 years old.
• Employment Contract: You must either have an employment contract in place or be about to start a new job, work placement, or apprenticeship.

This straightforward eligibility process makes Access to Work a simple solution for self-employed professionals or small business owners looking to maintain their livelihood while managing a disability or health condition.

Applying for Access to Work funding is designed to be as accessible as possible, with both online and telephone application options available:

1. Online Application: Visit the GOV.UK website and fill out the application form online.
2. Telephone Application: Alternatively, you can call the Access to Work helpline at 0800 121 7479 (Textphone: 0800 121 7579).

Be prepared to provide details about your business, your disability or health condition, and the specific support or adjustments you require. This may include quotes for services or equipment, such as virtual assistant support.

This process can make a tangible difference by allowing you to create a plan for your success and gain the necessary support to focus on growing your business.

After submitting your application, the approval process involves a few key steps:

• Initial Response: Within a few weeks, you’ll receive an initial response acknowledging your application. At this stage, you may be asked for additional information or clarification.
• Assessment and Decision: The complete process can take up to 12 weeks, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the application and the level of support requested.

The key to ensuring a smooth process is staying organised - keeping detailed records of all communications and documents related to your application will help if a follow-up is required.

Once you’ve secured Access to Work funding, one of the most effective ways to use this support is by employing a dedicated and experienced virtual assistant. A VA can help you tackle the overwhelm that comes with balancing your health condition and business responsibilities, while also ensuring that all those time-consuming administrative tasks are under control.

With a virtual assistant by your side, you can benefit from a personal sounding board and the perfect teammate who will help you deliver solutions, strategise, and manage your daily operations with calm focus. By taking routine tasks off your plate, a VA can free you up to focus on the most important aspects of your business and your personal life.

Access to Work is a brilliant initiative for any small business owner with a disability or health condition, offering the support you need to thrive in your business. From administrative assistance to more strategic support, a VA is a valuable asset that can help you bring order to disorder and get stuff done.

If you're struggling with the demands of your business and unsure how to navigate the Access to Work funding process or are wondering how a VA could help you, get in touch. I’m here to support small business owners like you to find solutions, create more time, and ultimately enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is in safe hands.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch to discover how I can support you to plan, manage and organise.