Frequently Asked Questions About Services For Disabled People

Listed below are examples of questions most frequently asked about services for disabled people.

Although examples of answers are supplied, if you have any additional queries or concerns, or your particular question isn’t covered here, contact the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre.

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Q. I have a disability and I’m having difficulty finding work. Where can I get some help?

A. Contact your Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre and ask to make an appointment with the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA). The DEA can discuss your employment situation with you and agree the most appropriate type of support to assist you into employment.

Q. Are there any Tax Credits for disabled people?

A. From April 2003 two new tax credits, a Child Tax Credit and a Working Tax Credit were introduced to replace the existing tax credits: Working Families’ Tax Credit, Disabled Person’s Tax Credit and the Children’s Tax Credit. Both of these new credits are administrated by and claimed from HM Revenue & Customs.

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) replaces the child-related payments in Working Families’ Tax Credit, Disabled Person’s Tax Credit, the Children’s Tax Credit, Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The Working Tax Credit (WTC) is a tax credit to top up the earnings of working people and broadly replaces the adult support within Working Families’ Tax Credit, Disabled Person’s Tax Credit and the New Deal 50plus Employment Credit, and extends some support to adults without children or a disability. It continues to include help with the costs of childcare.

Q. Who can claim Working Tax Credit?

• You are aged 16 or over, and
• You work at least 16 hours a week, and
• You and your partner are responsible for a child or young person, or
• You have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job, or
• You or your partner are aged 50 or more and are returning to work after a spell on qualifying out-of-work benefits.

If you do not have children or a disability that puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job, you can also claim Working Tax Credit if:

• You are aged 25 or over and
• You work at least 30 hours a week.

The Working Tax Credit is available to self-employed people and employees. For more information, telephone:

Tax Credits Helpline Number: 0845 300 3900

Textphone for people with hearing or speech impairment: 0845 300 3909

Q. I'm an employed disabled person and I'm concerned about losing my job because of the effects of my disability on the work I do. Who can give me advice about keeping my job?

A. Contact the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre. The DEA can give practical advice to you (and your employer if appropriate) on job redesign and adjustments within the workplace. The DEA may also suggest a period of Work Preparation to help overcome the difficulties that are affecting your work.

Q. Should I declare my disability to an employer when applying for jobs?

A. You must always mention your disability if it might risk your own, or other people's health and safety. An employer is allowed to ask you about health and disability when you apply for a job. But this is only one of many things they will ask before deciding to offer an interview or job.

If the employer does not ask you about your health or disability, it is up to you whether you tell them. Here are some things to think about to help you decide what to do.

If you are asked about health or disability, try to:

• answer in an honest way
• say how your disability might affect you at work
• say if it would have no effect on you at work
• talk about your abilities, and
• say why you think you are the right person for the job.

If you sign a declaration saying that you do not have a disability when in fact you do, this may affect your job at a later date.

It is worth remembering that if an employer does not know you are disabled, they cannot do anything to help you succeed in your job.

Q. I've been offered a job but my future employer and I are concerned about whether it’s the right one for me. Is there any type of help available?

A. If you or your employer have concerns about whether the job is the right one for you, find out about the Job Introduction Scheme (JIS) from the DEA at your Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre. JIS pays a grant of £75 a week to the employer for the first 6 weeks of your employment to assist with employment and training costs. JIS must be applied for before you start the job.

Q. I have a disability, how can the Access to Work (AtW) programme help me?

A. If your disability or health condition is likely to last for 12 months or longer and it affects the type of work you do (including self employment), you may be eligible for some practical help in the workplace. Contact your DEA, who can put you in touch with an AtW Adviser.

Q. I am about to start a training course but need special equipment to help me cope. Can Access to Work help?

A. AtW is available for people in or about to start paid employment. Talk to the training provider about what help they are able to provide during your training.

Q. If the Access to Work programme is providing me with equipment in the workplace, how long will I have to wait for it?

A. The aim is to get you the help you need in the shortest possible time. If it’s likely to take some time, temporary alternative solutions can be explored by the AtW Adviser , together with you and your employer.

Q. I have a disability and I’ve heard about WORKSTEP. How will I know if it’s suitable for me?

A. The DEA in your Jobcentre Plus office or Jobcentre can tell you more about WORKSTEP which is for disabled people who are facing more complex employment barriers because of their disability.

Q. I've heard about Remploy Employment Services. How is it relevant to me?

A. Remploy Employment Services is a three-way partnership between an employer, a disabled person and Remploy. Remploy works closely with the individual ensuring they receive the correct support so they can secure employment within the open market. Individuals may receive assistance with recruitment, training, job search and job clubs, job coaching etc. Remploy also works closely with employers in order to ensure our clients are able to gain employment in a wide variety of industrial sectors and occupational roles. To find out more about Remploy, visit their website at www.remploy.co.uk/ or telephone them on 02476 515 800.

Q. Do the Disability Service web pages have any links to disability organisations and other websites?

A. Through the main Jobcentre Plus webpages, we are linked to a number of sites including: RNIB, RNID, Department for Work and Pensions and Learning and Workbank websites.

Although we are not directly linked to a large number of websites, you can link with a wide range of disability organisations by visiting the Equality and Human Rights Commission website at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx