Hi i wonder if anyone has used the Access to Work scheme. Ive returned to work but cant drive so use a taxi. I was told to get 3 quotes and the cheapest one was accepted. But the price has gone up since that original quote. Has anyone got a good way to get in touch with AtW as ive yet to get through on the phone and my emails aren’t answered.
Also my boss signs off my claim but one taxi journey was not organised directly with the cab company, so there’s no online record just a cab paper receipt. Is that enough? He will sign that off.
Also ive been given a set amount of financial help over 3 years, with myself paying a contribution. Do I have to use the same cab company that the original quote was based on.?
Hello Rich - I haven’t used this grant/facility myself, but getting through by phone these days is not as bad as it was in the past. After the initial pre-recorded message, you get through to the right number/person and usually this take a few minutes (getting through the pre-recorded messages) and thereafter you are in a queue. Often they tell you your position in the queue and wait times. Sometimes they also offer call back with your position in the queue retained.
Also, there are times when fewer people call and it may be worth you trying this. E.g. call mid-week instead of on a Monday or call on Friday. Try mid/late afternoon or mid-morning etc.
This usually works for me.
Wrt to e-mails not being answered, I would suggest you check (sorry if this is something you have already done)
you are sending to correct e-mail
check your junk/spam mail folder in case message gets filtered by junk/spam system of your e-mail service provider
contact their support desk (you may find this on the website) - I can’t be sure about this, but this is based on my local councils website. If I have trouble, I use the Complaints/Compliments option to send a message.
I haven’t used Access to Work per se but my employer has its own internal version of it. We have to get 3 taxi quotes too and are expected to use the cheapest. For me if that changed I would be expected to change company. My manager accepts paper receipts.
Do Access to Work have a chat function? It might be easier to use that if so. I imagine they also have aome frequently asked questions on their website. Have a look at those as that might answer your question.
I believe they get very busy so it may be that your email will be answered in time. If none of the above work then ut sounds like you’ll have to hang on the phone. Not ideal but probably not much choice.
I have noticed that phones are answered more quickly than the used to and I find most of the people I speak helpful. I could be wrong, but I think some work from home which might mean there is a bigger pool of people to take the calls?
I always prefer to speak with people and try to avoid use of e-mail, but sometimes that is the better option.
