UK Access to Work, Great Britain only. Eligibility and grant details as published in the GOV.UK factsheet checked 2026-10-25; individual awards are decided case by case.
In brief
- Access to Work funds support beyond employer reasonable adjustments
- Describe your working day concretely when you apply
- Have your National Insurance number and a workplace contact ready
What Access to Work is, and what it is not
Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme run by the Department for Work and Pensions. It aims to help disabled people start or stay in work by providing practical and financial support, and the money does not have to be paid back. It does not pay for reasonable adjustments, which are the changes your employer must legally make to support you in your job. Understanding that boundary matters: if your employer should be making a change anyway, Access to Work will advise them rather than fund it. The grant can pay for support such as aids and equipment, adaptations to equipment, extra travel costs to and from work if you cannot use public transport, a support worker or job coach, and help at a job interview. How much you get depends on your circumstances, and there is no set amount.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are normally resident in and working in Great Britain, are aged 16 or over, and have a disability or health condition that means you need an aid, adaptation, or financial or human support to do your job. You must already be doing paid work, be about to start work or become self-employed, have a job interview, or be about to begin a work trial or certain work experience. Civil servants get support from their own department instead, and people in Northern Ireland use a different service. If you are self-employed, you need a Unique Tax Reference number and an annual turnover of at least 6,500 pounds, plus accounts or a business plan. If you change employer, you may be able to transfer equipment, but support worker and travel awards do not transfer automatically, so contact the team to discuss new arrangements.
Wheelchair-related support worth asking about
For wheelchair users, the most relevant support often includes adapted workstation equipment, such as a height-adjustable desk or specialist seating, and help with travel to work if public transport is not usable for you. Support can also cover the cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job, and disability awareness training for colleagues. When you apply, describe your working day in concrete terms: how you get to work, how you enter the building, where you sit, and which tasks are difficult without support. Vague descriptions slow claims down, while specific examples help the case manager match support to your real working conditions. Keep receipts for costs such as taxi fares, because you may need proof of costs.
How to apply and what to have ready
You can apply online or by calling the Access to Work helpline. Have ready your National Insurance number, your workplace address and postcode, and the name, email and phone number of a workplace contact such as your manager. If you are self-employed, have your Unique Tax Reference number ready. You will be asked what help and support you need, and Access to Work will also contact your employer for more information. Awards are decided case by case, and you cannot appeal the level of an award, though you can ask for one reconsideration by a different case manager. If your support needs change, for example because you start working from home, tell Access to Work so your award can be reviewed.
