How to apply to ATW for Communication Support at Interview
2nd August 2019.
Click here to download this information, the things you need to have ready before applying, and more, including screenshots of the application.
Access to Work can pay for communication support for an interview or assessment for a new job. ATW call this Communication Support at Interview (CSI). You apply (ask) to ATW for CSI in a different way to the way you apply for ATW for work, so AtW can reply faster.
You should apply for CSI before your interview by contacting the ATW helpline. ATW will not pay for interpreters if you tell them after the interview.
Before you apply online or call ATW, you need to have information ready about the employer, job interview and interpreter. This is because after 1 hour the CSI application will automatically close down, even if you haven’t finished.
This means you need to find an interpreter and get a quote before you apply for CSI. If you are booking through an agency, you need their full quote.
To help you get ready, below, you can see what information you need, and in the DeafATW download you can see screen shots from the online application.
If you provide the right information, ATW aim to say yes or no within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). (Please let DeafATW know if it takes longer than 48 hours.)
This is only for an interview for a paid job, paid apprenticeship, or Department for Education Supported Internship. Not for anything else, e.g. interview for volunteer (no pay) work.
Click here to download this information, the things you need to have ready before applying, and more, including screenshots of the application.
Access to Work can pay for communication support for an interview or assessment for a new job. ATW call this Communication Support at Interview (CSI). You apply (ask) to ATW for CSI in a different way to the way you apply for ATW for work, so AtW can reply faster.
You should apply for CSI before your interview by contacting the ATW helpline. ATW will not pay for interpreters if you tell them after the interview.
Before you apply online or call ATW, you need to have information ready about the employer, job interview and interpreter. This is because after 1 hour the CSI application will automatically close down, even if you haven’t finished.
This means you need to find an interpreter and get a quote before you apply for CSI. If you are booking through an agency, you need their full quote.
To help you get ready, below, you can see what information you need, and in the DeafATW download you can see screen shots from the online application.
If you provide the right information, ATW aim to say yes or no within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). (Please let DeafATW know if it takes longer than 48 hours.)
This is only for an interview for a paid job, paid apprenticeship, or Department for Education Supported Internship. Not for anything else, e.g. interview for volunteer (no pay) work.
How to apply for CSI (after you have interpreter quote and information ready)
You can apply for CSI in these different ways:
Do NOT apply for CSI online using the general AtW application online portal, because you may not get an answer in 48 hours.
- In English using the online CSI application. You can see screen shots from the online application to check if this is accessible to you. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work
- Using BSL through SignVideo. The AtW adviser will do the online CSI application with you. You’ll find the link near the bottom of the page. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work
Do NOT apply for CSI online using the general AtW application online portal, because you may not get an answer in 48 hours.
- Using Text Relay: Dial 18001 then 0800 121 7479. The CSI adviser will do the online CSI application for you.
- Calling and speaking to them: 0800 121 7479. The CSI adviser will do the online CSI application for you.
What information do you need before you apply for CSI?
These is what ATW will ask you either online, or if you phone through SignVideo. Make sure you know the answers before you contact them. You will need to give them all of this information before they can agree to pay.
You do not need to complete a Support worker log if you are asking for CSI.
- Your name, address and date of birth.
- If interview is for a paid job, paid apprenticeship, or Department for Education Supported Internship.
- Date of the job interview.
- Company name.
- Address of the interview.
- How long the interview is (how many hours).
- Name and email / phone number of someone at the company so AtW can contact them after the interview, make sure interview really happened.
- Total cost for the interpreter. AtW just want total cost, e.g. include interpreter fee, travel. If agency cost, will include admin and VAT.
- How can AtW contact you?
You do not need to complete a Support worker log if you are asking for CSI.
What happens after you apply? (Important things red)
(1) When you finish your CSI application online (either doing it yourself, or with an AtW adviser completing it for you) you will get a CSI Application Reference number on the last screen.
(2) Your CSI application will be given to an AtW adviser the same or next working day, depending what time you make the application.
(3) You will get a decision saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the CSI within 48 hours (Monday to Friday).
(4) If AtW say ‘yes’ AtW will send you an email saying your support is approved. (If some information is missing or not clear, they may need to contact you to ask more questions).
(5) When you get this email saying your support is approved, you can tell the interpreter that the booking is agreed (confirmed) and that AtW will pay them. If you don’t get this within 48 hours contact AtW. Don’t confirm the interpreter (tell them they are booked and will get paid) before you get this email.
(6) AtW will then send you a CSI approval letter, and CSI claim form, 2nd class by post. If you don’t receive this within a few days, contact AtW in case it has got lost in the post.
(7) After the interview, AtW will contact the employer for your interview, to check that the interview happened.
(8) As soon as possible after the interview, fill in the claim form AtW have sent you.
You can also use BSL to fill in the claim form. AtW sent you an email to approve your CSI. At the bottom there is a link. Click on the link and you will be connected to the adviser through a SignVideo interpreter. Explain to them you need them to fill in the form with you.
If you booked the interpreter yourself:
(8) Attach the interpreter’s invoice to the filled in claim form, and post it to AtW. If you don’t fill in the claim form and send it, the interpreter won’t get paid.
(9) AtW will pay the interpreter directly.
If you booked the interpreter through an interpreting agency:
(8) The interpreter must send the agency their invoice.
(9) Quickly send the claim form to the Agency. If you don’t fill in the claim form and send it to the agency, the agency and interpreter won’t get paid.
(10) The agency will send your form, with the interpreters invoice to AtW.
(11) After the agency has sent this ATW will pay the agency, and the agency will pay the interpreter.
(2) Your CSI application will be given to an AtW adviser the same or next working day, depending what time you make the application.
(3) You will get a decision saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the CSI within 48 hours (Monday to Friday).
(4) If AtW say ‘yes’ AtW will send you an email saying your support is approved. (If some information is missing or not clear, they may need to contact you to ask more questions).
(5) When you get this email saying your support is approved, you can tell the interpreter that the booking is agreed (confirmed) and that AtW will pay them. If you don’t get this within 48 hours contact AtW. Don’t confirm the interpreter (tell them they are booked and will get paid) before you get this email.
(6) AtW will then send you a CSI approval letter, and CSI claim form, 2nd class by post. If you don’t receive this within a few days, contact AtW in case it has got lost in the post.
(7) After the interview, AtW will contact the employer for your interview, to check that the interview happened.
(8) As soon as possible after the interview, fill in the claim form AtW have sent you.
You can also use BSL to fill in the claim form. AtW sent you an email to approve your CSI. At the bottom there is a link. Click on the link and you will be connected to the adviser through a SignVideo interpreter. Explain to them you need them to fill in the form with you.
If you booked the interpreter yourself:
(8) Attach the interpreter’s invoice to the filled in claim form, and post it to AtW. If you don’t fill in the claim form and send it, the interpreter won’t get paid.
(9) AtW will pay the interpreter directly.
If you booked the interpreter through an interpreting agency:
(8) The interpreter must send the agency their invoice.
(9) Quickly send the claim form to the Agency. If you don’t fill in the claim form and send it to the agency, the agency and interpreter won’t get paid.
(10) The agency will send your form, with the interpreters invoice to AtW.
(11) After the agency has sent this ATW will pay the agency, and the agency will pay the interpreter.
If you have any problems with applying for CSI, e.g. your application for CSI taking more than 48 hours, or you don't get a reply
(1) If there is time, first contact the ATW helpline, tell them what the problem is, and ask them to help.
(2) If the helpline can’t help, or there isn’t enough time, please contact DeafATW and we can directly contact the ATW that deals with CSI applications, as well as feedback about the problems you are having.
(2) If the helpline can’t help, or there isn’t enough time, please contact DeafATW and we can directly contact the ATW that deals with CSI applications, as well as feedback about the problems you are having.