Access to Work: practical support to get or stay in work
Access to Work is a government scheme that can help you get or stay in work if you have a disability or a physical or mental health condition. This page explains what it is, who it is for, how to apply, and what happens next - from first questions to application.
Support already awarded? See what your award means and what happens next.
New: read our plain English Access to Work guide, from applying to your award letter.
On this page:
What is Access to Work?
The Access to Work scheme can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
It can provide a grant towards practical support that goes beyond the reasonable adjustments your employer already has to make by law. The grant does not affect any other benefits you receive, and you do not have to pay it back.
Support can include:
- Specialist equipment and assistive software
- Support workers, such as a British Sign Language interpreter, a job coach, or a travel buddy
- Help with travel to work if you cannot use public transport
- Vehicle adaptations
- Physical changes to your workplace
- Mental health support, delivered through Able Futures or Maximus
- Communication support at job interviews
You can find the full, up to date detail on the official page: gov.uk/access-to-work
Is Access to Work for you?
Access to Work may be for you if you can say yes to these:
- ✓ You are aged 16 or over
- ✓ You are in paid work, or about to start or return to paid work within the next 12 weeks
- ✓ You live and work in England, Scotland or Wales
- ✓ You have a disability or a physical or mental health condition that means you need support to do your job
You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply. Conditions that can qualify include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and temporary conditions.
Employment, self-employment, apprenticeships, work trials, work experience, internships and work placements all count. Voluntary work does not. If you are self-employed, you need an annual turnover of at least £6,500. Civil servants are supported by their employer instead of Access to Work.
How to apply
You apply for Access to Work yourself - it is a simple, direct process.
1.
Check you are eligible
Use the checklist above, or read the official eligibility guidance on gov.uk.
2.
Apply directly
Apply online on gov.uk, or call the helpline on 0800 121 7479 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 7479), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
3.
Have your details ready
Your contact details, workplace address, how your condition affects your work, a workplace contact (with their permission), your UTR if self-employed, and your National Insurance number.
4.
Wait for your assessment
Access to Work reviews your application and may arrange an assessment to agree the right support for you.
Timescales vary. For current waiting times and what happens next, see the official guidance on gov.uk.
Contact Access to Work (DWP)
To ask about an application, a payment or an existing award, contact the government’s Access to Work helpline directly:
Telephone: 0800 121 7479
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479
A British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service is also available - see how to contact Access to Work on gov.uk.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
This is DWP’s own helpline for the scheme. If your question is about support delivered by Creased Puddle, use the enquiry form further down this page instead.
Already have your award letter?
Everything about your next steps now lives on its own page - what your award actually means, how booking works, and how payment and claims are handled.
Advice for employees and employers
If you are an employee or self-employed
Access to Work is designed around you. You apply directly, you take part in the assessment, and the support is put in place to help you do your job.
The grant can fund things your employer is not legally required to provide, such as specialist equipment, a support worker, coaching, or help with travel. It does not replace the reasonable adjustments your employer must make - it adds to them.
Once your funding is approved, Creased Puddle can deliver support such as Coaching and Disability Awareness Training. See "What support may look like" below.
Watch or read: Access to Work explained
Short videos explaining Access to Work in plain English are on their way. Prefer to read? Everything the videos will cover is already written out on this page, including the FAQs below.
Coming soon: What is Access to Work? · How to apply · What happens after you apply · Common mistakes to avoid.
Free guides to download
Our three plain-English guides cover everything on this page in a take-away format:
- Access to Work: a simple guide
- Access to Work application checklist
- Access to Work FAQs summary
Use the signup form at the top of this page and we will email you our combined guide straight away, plus occasional Access to Work updates. Unsubscribe any time.
Official Access to Work guidance
Whatever stage you are at, you are welcome to come back to this page, or get in touch whenever it helps.
For the most accurate and current information, always use the official government pages:
Trusted, evidence-led support
Creased Puddle has delivered neurodiversity coaching, training and consultancy since 2017 - independently evaluated, strengths-based, and built around the person rather than the paperwork.
You are not a number to us. We do not underestimate the trust you are placing in us to support you on your coaching journey. We created this Access to Work resource in collaboration with Access to Work users to help you to understand the process and what different terminology means. If you have any feedback on how we can improve it, please let us know.
2017
delivering neurodiversity coaching, training and consultancy across the UK
1,000s
of coaching hours delivered, by coaches trained to ILM Level 5
30
a UK-wide network of around 30 partner coaches and neurodiversity specialists
Frequently asked questions
These cover finding out about Access to Work and applying. Questions about what happens after an award are on our award page FAQs.