At Neuro Jumpstart we often get asked whether a self-employed person can get Access to Work support.. here is our guide to Access to Work if Self Employed!
What is Access To Work?
Access to Work is a grant to help you get work or stay in work if you have a mental health condition or disability. The support you get depends on your needs. Access To Work is available in the UK.
What is classified as Self-Employed?
If you start (or intend to start) working for yourself, you’re classified as a sole trader. This means you are self employed. You are most likely to be self-employed if you:
- run your business for yourself and take responsibility for its success or failure
- have several customers at the same time
- can decide how, where and when you do your work
- can hire other people at your own expense to help you or to do the work for you
- provide the main items of equipment to do your work
- are responsible for finishing any unsatisfactory work in your own time
- charge an agreed fixed price for your work
- sell goods or services to make a profit
Many of these also apply if you own a limited company but you’re not classed as self-employed by HMRC. Instead you’re both an owner and employee of your company.
Can I get Access To Work if Self-Employed?
Short answer is yes! If you are self-employed and have a disability, mental health condition or neurodivergence, you can get Access To Work Support.
What Type of Support Can I get?
The type of support you can get depends on your needs but you can get the following types of support:
- A support worker to help with business activities you find difficult, such as timekeeping, setting up and attending meetings, help to communicate clearly to customers (if you have communication difficulties)
- Specialist equipment (or alterations to existing equipment) to suit your particular need. For example, a standing desk or an affordable laptop
- Help towards the cost of taxi fares if you cannot use public transport to get to your place of business
- Mental health support (via Access to Work’s dedicated Mental Health Support Service)
How Long Can I get Access To Work Support For?
If you are starting self employment, you are likely to get one year of Access To Work support. However, if your business manages to achieve a minimum level of turnover each year, the Lower Earnings Limit (which is £6300 for tax year 2022/23) then you may be eligible for another year’s worth of support.
If you have been self employed for a few years then you may be eliligible for more than one year of Access To Work Support when applying.
Where do I start?
If you are self-employed and neurodivergent you can start with Neuro Jumpstart! We can help you:
- apply for access to work
- source support workers and equipment
- provide neurodivergent-focused business support (based on decades of experience)
Just press the ‘Schedule a call’ button to set up an appointment!
