Access to Work - would I be eligible?

New diagnosis and before diagnosis
1

Hi guys

I have not been diagnosed but I am under investigation for possible MS or MS like condition.

The main ongoing symptoms which affect my ability to work are fatigue and bowel/urinary urgency. As I do not drive I need to use public transport to and from work which takes just under an hour each way.

My working hours are 8am-4pm (no later shifts can be worked as these are the office opening hours). This means I must get up for work between 5:30 and 6am and do not get home till after 5pm. The early start and long working day does not help with the fatigue and during the journey to and from work I am constantly worrying about the need to use the toilet. I have had an ‘accident’ whilst travelling to work before and had to get off the bus early and call my husband to pick me up.

Ever since then the fear of leaving the house has become unbearable and I have to force myself out the door every morning. I have on occasion paid nearly £30 for a taxi to work as my bowel issues were flaring up and I wanted to ensure my time without access to toilet facilities was short.

It is affecting my ability to maintain a consistent attendance level at work which in turn is causing additional pressure from management and ultimately added stress on me.

I am unable to reduce my hours at work due to financial commitments and have been advised that if I do decide to reduce my hours in the interim they could not guarantee that they would increase them again should my symptoms be resolved in future.

I have therefore been looking into ways to reduce my journey times to and from work in order to both shorten my working day and ultimately shorten the amount of time I have no access to toilet facilities.

I have now stumbled across the access to work site which pays for transport costs for people who struggle to get to work due to disability or illness.

Ideally it would be best if I could arrange a daily taxi to and from work however paying for this myself would defeat the purpose of working at all.

Has anyone had any experience of the Access to Work scheme or any advice on whether or not they would give me financial assistance without a formal diagnosis?

2

Sorry, no idea. Why not call them and ask?

Karen x

3

Hi,

I’ve just been assigned an advisor with Access to Work. I was diagnosed with PPMS in November. They are (hopefully) sorting out taxis for me to and from work. I also don’t know if you have to have a diagnosis, but as Karen says…give them call.

I hope you get something sorted out.

Oonagh

xxx

4

You do NOT need a diagnosis to get ATW, see Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK

5

Hi

So sorry to hear about your situation. I do not have a proper dignosis as such - still working on the probable.

I have used Access to work and they were BRILLIANT!

You can self -refer.

I have been granted

A light-weight lap top with voice control and training to use the same.

electronic diary.

Wrist supports

Back support

Desk raisers.

Foot support

Changes/ adaptations for my car.

l can ask for taxi’s if the weather is poor or l m at a difficult point in my illness.

They spend lot of time with you are very dedicated and send a full report of their analysis.

Please go for it!

Good Luck and best wishes