Access to Work is a UK government grant scheme funding practical workplace support for disabled people. Grants can cover support workers, specialist equipment, transport, and mental health support — up to £66,000 per year. This guide covers eligibility, application, and maximising the scheme.
Access to Work: Full Employer and Employee Guide
What Is Access to Work?
Access to Work (AtW) is a UK government grant programme administered by DWP Jobcentre Plus. It provides practical and financial support above and beyond what employers are legally required to provide under the Equality Act's reasonable adjustments duty.
AtW is not a benefit — it is a discretionary grant. It does not affect other benefits the claimant may receive.
Annual budget (2023/24): £260 million
Applicants supported annually: ~45,000
What Can Access to Work Fund?
Support Workers and Job Coaches
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters
Lip speakers and note-takers
Support workers for physical tasks
Job coaches for people with learning disabilities or autism
A specialist service providing up to 9 months of structured support from a mental health professional. Referrals are made through AtW and are separate from the main grant.
Key facts:
Supports anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and other conditions
67% of recipients return to full functioning at work (DWP, 2023)
Available for employees and self-employed people
Adaptations to Premises
Minor building modifications not covered by employer's own budget.
Eligibility
To receive AtW support, the applicant must:
Have a disability, health condition, or mental health condition that makes it harder to do their job
Be in paid employment (including self-employment, apprenticeships, work trials, and Supported Internships)
Be 16 or over
Live and work in England, Scotland, or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own scheme: Access to Work NI)
There is no minimum hours threshold — part-time workers are eligible.
Grant Limits
From April 2024, the annual grant cap is £66,000 per person per year. This applies to the combined total of all elements.
For new applicants (employed for less than 6 weeks), the employer contribution is zero — AtW pays 100%.
For existing employees, the employer pays:
20% of approved costs for employers with 1–49 employees
40% for employers with 50–249 employees
60% for employers with 250+ employees
(After the first £1,000 of costs, which AtW covers in full regardless of employer size.)
How to Apply
Employee applies (not the employer, though employers can support the process):
Call the AtW helpline: 0800 121 7479 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm)
Complete an application form (available online or by post)
AtW Adviser assessment: A phone or video call to discuss needs and identify appropriate support
Award letter: AtW sends a letter confirming the grant, the support approved, and the amount
Claim reimbursements: Submit receipts/invoices after support is received
Processing time: DWP aims for 28 days from application to decision, though complex cases can take longer.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers play a supporting role:
Confirm employment details when AtW contacts them
Arrange agreed support (e.g., book interpreters, purchase equipment)
Claim reimbursement from AtW for eligible costs
Keep records and receipts
Employers cannot apply on behalf of an employee without consent, but can help employees navigate the process.
Workplace Adjustments Passport
Many AtW recipients also benefit from a Workplace Adjustments Passport — a document that records agreed adjustments so they don't need to be renegotiated each time the employee changes manager or role. (See the separate InkludX article on Workplace Adjustments Passports for detail.)
Case Studies
BSL Interpreter for Customer-Facing Role
A deaf sales associate applied for AtW to fund BSL interpretation for team meetings and client calls. AtW funded 80% of interpreter costs; the employer (250+ employees) contributed 60% above the first £1,000. Total interpreter cost: £18,000/year — employer net cost: approximately £10,200.
Autism Job Coach
A software developer with autism struggled with the unwritten social rules of open-plan working. AtW funded 6 months of job coaching (8 hours/month) plus specialist noise-cancelling equipment. The employee remained in post and was promoted within 18 months.
Mental Health Support Service
A finance manager returned from sick leave after a depressive episode. AtW Mental Health Support Service provided 9 months of CBT-focused occupational therapy. The employee returned to full capacity and AtW cost to the employer: £0.
Common Myths
Myth
Reality
"AtW is complicated to access"
Most straightforward cases are resolved in one phone call
"Only large companies use it"
60%+ of supported employees work for SMEs
"It only covers physical disabilities"
Mental health and neurodivergence are the fastest-growing categories
"The employee has to push for everything"
HR can proactively mention AtW when discussing reasonable adjustments
Sources: UK Department for Work and Pensions (gov.uk/access-to-work), DWP AtW Statistics 2023/24, Business Disability Forum Access to Work Toolkit