Access to Work grants

Access to Work is a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions that pays for practical support so disabled people and people with health conditions can start or stay in work. It can cover specialist equipment, a support worker, extra travel costs such as taxis if you cannot use public transport, and mental health support. It is not a loan, it is not means-tested, and it does not affect other benefits. You apply yourself, not your employer.

Who can apply

You may be eligible if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability that makes it harder to do your job or get to work, and you are:

• in paid work, or about to start
• self-employed
• going to a job interview, or doing some work placements or work trials

You must meet the minimum age on the gov.uk page and live in England, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate Access to Work scheme run through nidirect, with similar support.

You do not need to be getting benefits, and you do not have to meet a formal definition of disability before applying. The condition needs to affect your work.

What it can pay for

The grant is shaped around your needs. It can help with:

• special equipment and software, such as screen readers, voice recognition software, adapted keyboards or chairs
• adaptations to equipment you use at work
• a support worker or job coach, including a note-taker, reader or personal assistant
• British Sign Language interpreters and other communication support, including at interviews
• extra travel costs to and from work, such as a taxi, where you cannot reasonably use public transport
• adaptations to your vehicle
• the Mental Health Support Service, which gives advice and a support plan if you have a mental health condition affecting work

There is a yearly cap on the amount of support, and it is reviewed regularly. The gov.uk page gives the current figure.

What it does not pay for

Access to Work does not replace your employer’s legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. If a change is something your employer should reasonably provide anyway, such as a modest change to your hours, a different desk position or standard software, the employer pays.

For equipment and adaptations, the grant is often shared with the employer. Larger employers, which includes most NHS trusts, councils and government departments, are usually expected to contribute more towards the cost. The DWP tells your employer what it will and will not fund.

The reasonable adjustments guide explains what employers have to do themselves.

How to apply

Apply online through gov.uk, or by phone. You will need:

1. your National Insurance number
2. your employer’s address and a workplace contact
3. details of your job and the hours you work
4. how your condition affects you at work or getting to work
5. any ideas about what support would help

An adviser will contact you, and there may be a workplace assessment. If support is approved, you get a letter setting out what is covered and how to claim the money back. In most cases the employer buys equipment or pays the support worker and then reclaims the agreed amount, but for travel you usually claim yourself.

Apply as soon as you can, especially if you are starting a new job. There can be a wait, and the grant may not cover costs from before you applied. If you are waiting, ask your employer what interim adjustments it can make.

Using it in a public sector job

Public sector employers are used to Access to Work, and HR or occupational health can often help you complete the application. If you are moving between NHS trusts, schools or departments, tell the new employer early, because equipment funded under one job does not automatically follow you, and the grant may need updating.

Many public employers also run Disability Confident schemes that offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. The guaranteed interview scheme guide covers that. If you think your employer is refusing adjustments it should make, the discrimination guide explains your options.