Access to Work

If you have a hearing loss that makes it hard for you to do your job, you can apply for Access to Work if you need extra help. You must talk to your employer about making reasonable adjustments first before you can apply. However, with hearing loss, better hearing aids and accessories are usually the best solution and can't be provided by your employer.

 

You need to have a paid job, or be about to start or return to one. You’ll be offered support based on your needs, which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace. These may be in the form of special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you do things like answer the phone or go to meetings The money does not have to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits.

"We take the hassle out of the application by going through everything face to face and have helped many deserving workers get premium hearing aids from the Access to Work Fund."


Who should apply for the Access to Work grant?

The Access to Work grant is available to anyone who has workplace needs that cannot be met through statutory services (such as the NHS). The government will fund premium hearing aids and accessories that are not usually accessible via the NHS.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH nhs hEARING aIDS?

Due to budgetary issues, the hearing aids provided by the NHS tend to be less technologically advanced than those available privately. A more tailored approach for workers is often necessary which is only achievable with premium hearing aids that are only available privately. These will have higher levels of clarity and connectivity to aid specific work situations such as meetings and telephone calls. Premium private hearing aids have features and accessories that can stream audio from your phone directly to your hearing aids, remote controls and extra microphones. These can make a significant difference to hearing and wellbeing in the workplace.

 

Privately, Liverpool Hearing Centre is able to provide more time with you at the testing, selection and fitting stage. This is extremely important to people with specific workplace needs.

"Premium private hearing aids have features and accessories that can stream audio from your phone directly to your hearing aids, remote controls and extra microphones. These can make a significant difference to hearing and wellbeing in the workplace."


How do I Qualify

To get help from Access to Work you must:

  • have a hearing loss that makes it hard for you to do parts of your job
  • be 16 or over
  • live in England, Scotland or Wales - there’s a different system in Northern Ireland
  • have a paid job, or be about to start or return to one. A paid job could include:
    • self-employment
    • an apprenticeship
    • a work trial or work experience
    • an internship (You cannot get a grant for voluntary work).
  • have a job based in England, Scotland or Wales. You cannot get Access to Work if you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Certain benefits may affect whether you can get an Access to Work grant. Check https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility

How it works

It will help your application if you’ve spoken to your employer about reasonable adjustments before you apply for Access to Work. It will also help to have spoken to one of our audiologists so that you know what hearing devices and equipment are available and how they might help in your own specific workplace environments.

 

Once you’ve applied, an Access to Work adviser will contact you to discuss what help you could get. An adviser may also contact your employer to discuss how Access to Work can support you - they will not contact your employer until they’ve spoken to you first.

 

Depending on your condition, an assessor may visit your workplace to assess your needs. You may get an offer of support, which could include a grant. If it does, you’ll be told how much you’ll get and for how long.

 

You or your employer will then buy the items or services you need. Access to Work will pay the money back, up to the amount of the grant you’ve been offered and with any contributions deducted, such as employer or NHS contributions.


Save Time & Money

Liverpool Hearing Centre will do everything for you:

  • Assess your hearing and workplace requirements
  • Help complete your application
  • Provide trial hearing aids during application process
  • Only take payment after your grant money has been received*
  • All in one simple appointment

*You are required to pay £140 for your hearing assessment. This is a far more comprehensive test than what is offered by high street chains, the NHS and 99% of independent retailers

How To Apply

To apply, you’ll need:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your workplace address
  • the name, email address and work phone number of a workplace contact - this should be someone who can authorise payment for the items and services in your support offer
  • your unique tax reference number (if you’re self-employed)

It is now seriously easy to apply online but first make an appointment with Liverpool Hearing Centre so you know exactly what to ask them for and get the best from your application.

 

Note: Please fill out the fields marked with an asterisk.


The grant will help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace possibly including the following:

  • adaptations to the equipment you use (usually phones and headsets but your employer may cover this under 'reasonable adjustments')
  • hearing aids and accessories (remote microphones for meetings/lectures and streamers for laptops, etc)
  • British Sign Language interpreters and video relay service support, lip speakers and note takers
  • disability awareness training for your colleagues