Access to Work Grants & Support

If you need extra help coping with hearing loss at work, ‘Access to Work’ can help. ‘Access to Work’ offers support based on your needs and is available to anyone who has workplace needs that cannot be met through statutory services (for example NHS). In some cases, you may qualify to receive a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace, such as specialist equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help you complete your role.

An Access to Work grant can be used to cover the cost of more premium hearing aids and accessories that are not usually available via the NHS. Privately, hearing devices are prescribed as part of a bespoke care package, which is tailored to the needs of each individual. This type of approach can aid workers who may benefit from extra features on their hearing aids to help cope with challenging workplace listening environments. Technologically advanced hearing aids can make a considerable difference to hearing in the workplace, however, many are only available privately.

Workers often benefit from:

  • Bluetooth streaming of audio calls which link your telephone to your hearing aids
  • Remote microphones to help with group conversations or listening from a distance
  • Remote control adjustments for hearing aid volume or feature settings

It is advised that you talk to your employer about making reasonable adjustments before you apply. To qualify for help towards your hearing aids from Access to work you must meet the following criteria:

  • have a hearing loss that makes it hard for you to do parts of your job
  • be 16 or over
  • live and work in England, Scotland or Wales – there’s a different system in Northern Ireland (You cannot get Access to Work if you live in the Channel
  • Islands or the Isle of Man)
  • 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 or an internship*

*Voluntary work not included

We recommend you visit the government pages on access to work to check whether you are eligible before applying by clicking here.

Speaking to your employer about reasonable adjustments is your first step. It is recommended that you do this before you apply for Access to Work. We also recommend speaking to a qualified Audiologist and completing a hearing aid assessment. This will help you to understand what equipment is available and how it might help towards your specific workplace listening needs.

Once you have applied, an Access to Work adviser will contact you to discuss what help you could get. Once they have spoken to you, they may also contact your employer (only if agreed with you first). A work-place visit may also be required from an Access to Work assessor.

Once this has been completed, Access to Work will decide whether to issue you with an offer of support, potentially including a grant.

Once you have applied, if you are eligible for a grant to offer support you will be told how much you’ll get and for how long.

You or your employer will buy the items or services you need for which you will need to keep the receipt to provide as evidence. Access to Work will pay the money back, up to the amount of the grant you’ve been offered and with any contributions (such as employer or NHS contributions) deducted. The grant provided will not need to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits.

Before you apply for your Access to Work application you will need:

  • your National insurance number
  • your workplace address(s)
  • the name, email address and work telephone 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)

You can make your application online or alternative formats can be requested over the telephone. Make sure you have all the relevant information for a simple application.

Online application can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

Hassle Free Application!

Integrate Hearing can assist your Access to Work application at one of our specialist Access to Work Hearing Assessments.

Access to work Hearing Assessments include:

  • FREE Hearing Test & Assessment of your workplace requirements
  • Help & Support with Access to Work Application
  • FREE Hearing Aid Demonstrations & FREE Hearing Aid Trials
  • Payment taken once you have received your Access to Work Grant

To book an appointment with Olivia to go through your application, contact our Stockport clinic on 0161 7060067

Our Services

We offer all aspects of hearing care in Manchester, Stockport, Cheadle & Cheadle Hulme, Romiley & Hazel Grove. Whether it be ear wax removal, hearing aids, hearing tests or tinnitus treatment, we can help. Please click on one of the following services for more information.

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I would like to thank Olivia for her home visit to remove wax from my mother’s ears today. She was fantastically reassuring, professional, courteous and patient. Every step of the process was carefully explained and she was meticulous in her safety procedures. I would not hesitate to recommend Olivia to anyone needing any audiology services.
Richard

Olivia is absolutely brilliant. Can’t praise her too highly. Wasted 9 months at another clinic where none of my problems were ever solved. Olivia gave me back my hearing in under two. She is the Super Woman of hearing problems!

Leslie
Visited Olivia today at Cheadle for ear wax removal. I was very impressed with her professionalism and friendliness which I feel would put even a nervous patient quickly at ease. The treatment was trouble free and pain free and reached a successful outcome with complete removal of the wax. I would not hesitate to recommend Olivia to any potential patients.
Norman Wall
After having microsuction, I discussed the possibility of a hearing aid from Olivia after having problems with my NHS aid. At each appointment I found Olivia very thorough and professional. She was careful to ensure that I had exactly the right fit and that I was happy with it. She was helpful, pleasant and made me feel relaxed. I am very happy with my new neat hearing aid. Thanks Olivia!
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