Access to Work rules differ by nation and by employer size; check the GOV.UK page before applying.
In brief
- Access to Work covers equipment, travel and support workers for paid work
- Part-time wheelchair users in England and Wales need no NHS assessment first
- Apply with your National Insurance number and a workplace contact who can authorise payments
Who can apply, and what it can pay for
Access to Work is open to people aged 16 or over who have a disability or health condition that means they need support to do their job, and who are in paid work or about to start paid work, including employment, self-employment, an apprenticeship, a work trial or a work placement. It cannot be used for voluntary work. The government's own page names wheelchair use explicitly as an example of a physical disability that can qualify, and says applicants do not need a diagnosis to apply. Support can include special equipment or adaptations, a support worker or job coach, travel to work support such as taxis where public transport cannot be used, and communication support at interviews. You can apply while working from home some or all of the time, and most benefits can be received at the same time as long as you work more than one hour a week.
Wheelchairs, assessments and cost sharing
The Access to Work staff guide gives specific detail on wheelchairs: in England and Wales, NHS wheelchair services will only assess someone who needs a wheelchair all of the time, so case managers no longer need to ask part-time wheelchair users for an NHS assessment or voucher before proceeding, while in Scotland an NHS assessment is still required for all applications. Case managers use their discretion about the barriers a customer faces and whether the chair requested seems reasonable for the job. There may also be a cost share depending on the size of the employer, and applicants may be asked to source three quotes, with grants determined on the most cost-effective solution. Keep quotes, receipts and a note of how your condition affects you at work, because the application will ask for all three.
How to apply, and what to ask your employer
Apply online through the government's Access to Work service or by phone on 0800 121 7479, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with Relay UK and a British Sign Language video relay service available. You will need your National Insurance number, your workplace address and postcode, the name and contact details of a workplace contact who can authorise payments, and, if self-employed, your unique tax reference number and an annual turnover of at least 6,500 pounds. It helps to have spoken to your employer about reasonable adjustments before you apply, since adjustments such as a height-adjustable desk, an accessible parking bay, step-free routes inside the building and an evacuation plan are the employer's responsibility, while Access to Work covers the extra costs beyond those adjustments. Support can last up to three years, with reviews along the way, so reapply or ask for a review if your needs change.
