Disability Employment Advisers

Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) provide specialist support to help disabled people to find and keep a job. They can also provide advice and support to people already in work who are worried they may lose their job for a reason associated with a health condition or disability.

DEAs can provide a range of support, advice and information, including:

• help to find the right job for you
• advice and support in looking for a job
• advice and information on training opportunities
• advice and information on keeping your job
• information on WorkPath programmes and
• information on the Disability Symbol (a symbol that allows employers to show their commitment to employing, training, keeping and promoting disabled people).

WorkPath Programmes

WorkPath programmes are designed to help disabled people who want to find jobs or stay in work. We have designed each programme to help you overcome, or remove, the barriers you face when looking for a job or when you are already in a job. The three WorkPath programmes are Access to Work, Work Preparation and WORKSTEP. They offer very practical support to tackle specific areas where you, or your employer, may need help, and so help you to achieve your potential and get the most out of your job.

WORKSTEP provides tailored support for disabled people who have more complicated ba rriers to getting and keeping a job. It provides a wide range of opportunities for supported jobs with mainstream employers, or in supported factories and businesses. By helping you to develop and improve your job skills, we can give you the opportunity to move into employment. Or, we  will provide long-term support if this is the right option for you.  WORKSTEP also offers practical help to employers so they are encouraged to develop their disabled employees.

New Deal for Disabled People

New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) is a voluntary scheme for people getting a benefit in connection with a disability or their health, but need some help and support along the way.

You are supported into work by a network of Job Brokers.

Working Tax Credit (disability element)

The Working Tax Credit can provide an extra amount to support workers who have a disability. You can get the extra amount of Working Tax Credit if you:

• are employed or self-employed
• work an average of at least 16 hours a week,and
• have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job.

Thinking about starting work or have been offered a job?

If you are thinking of starting work or have been offered a job, you may be worried about making ends meet until your first wage packet, or maybe you’re not sure if it is the job for you. Before you find a job or accept a job offer, you can ask for an interview with your personal adviser. At that interview you can ask for a Better Off Calculation. This will give you an estimate of how you could be better off (for example, by getting certain benefits).

A Work Trial is a trial in an actual job with an employer. It gives you the chance to try out a job vacancy for up to 15 working days and show the employer that you are the right person to fill the vacancy. This is a voluntary programme. It is for you if you want to prove your ability to do the job. It is also useful if you are not sure about whether it is the job for you.  Your benefits will not be affected if you want to leave the Work Trial early or you turn down any job offered at the end of the trial.  

Employment on Trial is very similar to Work Trial. It gives people who have been out of work the opportunity to try out a job. If it does not work out, you may not lose your benefit if you choose to leave the job and claim Jobseeker’s Allowance again. Employment on Trial is for you if you are worried about trying a job because you think your benefit might be affected if it doesn’t work out.

To qualify for Employment on Trial, you must not:

• have worked during any of the 13 weeks before the day the job started, or
• be a full-time student or in relevant education at any time during this period.
• You must stay in the job for more than four weeks, but no more than 12 weeks from the date the work began. The work must be at least 16 hours a week.

The Back to Work Bonus scheme ended on 25 October 2004. If you are receiving Income Support (IS) or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), and built up a bonus before this date, you may still be able to claim the bonus but you will not be able to add to it. Your bonus will be protected until 28 January 2005. If you have not met the conditions for receiving your bonus by this date you will lose it.

A Job Grant is a tax-free payment you can get if you are taking up full-time work of at least 16 hours a week. The amount you get will be:

• £100 if you do not have a child or children, or
• £250 if you have a child or children.

You may be able to get a Job Grant if your partner is starting work and, as a result, your benefit will end.  If you have been getting help with your mortgage or housing costs, when you start work you may get Mortgage Interest Run-on to carry on helping for an extra four weeks.

If you or your partner were getting help with your mortgage or home loan when either of you moved into full-time work and stopped getting benefit, 52-week benefit linking may be able to help. This helps you keep certain benefits for a while.