What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is help to get, or stay in work, that some people with a disability or health condition can get.
Access to Work help can include money called a grant.
You can apply for a grant to help pay for support with your work.
You can apply for money to help you to communicate at interviews.
You can apply for support with managing your mental health at work.
This might include a plan to help you get or stay in work, or one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional.
You can apply for money to help to pay for things you need to help you do your job like:
- special equipment
- physical changes to your workplace
- taxi journeys to and from work if you cannot use public transport
- a
support worker
Support workers
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
or job coach to help you at work - disability awareness training for the people you work with
Your workplace can include your home if you work from there some or all of the time.
Can I get Access to Work help?
To get Access to Work help you must:
- have a physical or mental health condition or a disability that means you need support to do your job, or to get to and from your job
- be 16 or over
- have paid work (or be about to start, or return to, paid work in the next 12 weeks)
- live and work (or be about to start, or return to work) in England, Wales or Scotland. Read about the help that you can get if you live in Northern Ireland and have a disability
Eligibility for Access to Work help
- A disability can include a
physical disability
A physical disability is to do with your body. You might find it hard to do some things like walk or lift things.
or a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
. - A health condition can include a broken leg, or a mental health condition like anxiety.
- An illness can include diabetes or epilepsy.
- You can not get Access to Work to help you with voluntary work.
- You can not get Access to Work if you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
The full eligibility criteria for claiming Access to Work can be found on the government’s website. This includes additional information about:
- your illness, disability or health condition
- your work
- claiming Access to Work if you get New Style
Employment
Employment means having a job.
and Support Allowance
What checks are needed to get Access to Work help?
The Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is sometimes called the DWP. It is part of the government and manages payments and benefits like Universal Credit,
Personal Independence Payment
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability or health condition get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Some people who used to get
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is the name of a benefit that some people with a disability get. The money is to pay for extra help you might need to look after yourself and to get around. Disability Living Allowance is being replaced by a benefit called Personal
Independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
Payment (PIP).
(DLA) now get PIP instead.
,
Employment and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance is sometimes called ESA. It is a benefit for people who find it harder to get a job because of a disability or a long term health condition.
, and Income Support.
(DWP) will need to check:
- your workplace
- how your disability or health condition affects your work
How much is Access to Work?
There is no fixed amount of Access to Work money.
You or your employer may need to pay some of the costs and claim them back later.
How to apply for Access to Work help
To find out how to apply for Access to Work, we have created a straightforward step-by-step digital guide to take you through the application process.
Frequently asked questions about Access to Work
Can I claim Access to Work help?
To get Access to Work help you must:
- have a physical or mental health condition or a disability that means you need support to do your job, or to get to and from your job
- be 16 or over
- have paid work (or be about to start, or return to, paid work in the next 12 weeks)
- live and work (or be about to start, or return to work) in England, Wales or Scotland
The full eligibility criteria for claiming Access to Work can be found on the government’s website.
Can I claim Access to Work if I live in Northern Ireland?
No. There is different help available for people in Northern Ireland.
Read about the help that you can get if you live in Northern Ireland and have a disability.
Can I claim Access to Work if I get New Style Employment and Support Allowance?
You can get Access to Work and New Style Employment and support Allowance at the same time if you work less than 16 hours a week.
The government’s website tells you about working while claiming New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
What counts as a disability or health condition for claiming Access to Work?
A disability can include a physical disability or a learning disability.
A health condition can include a temporary condition like a broken leg, a developmental condition like
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
spectrum disorder, or a mental health condition like anxiety.
An illness can include diabetes or epilepsy.
The full eligibility criteria for claiming Access to Work can be found on the government’s website.
What counts as paid work?
Paid work can be full or part-time and can include:
- employment
- self-employment
- an apprenticeship
- a work trial or
work experience
Work experience is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
- an internship
- a work placement
What help can Access to Work give me at a job interview?
The government website has information about applying to Access to Work for communication support at a job interview.
What type of help does Access to Work give me?
You can apply for support with managing your mental health at work. This might include a plan to help you get or stay in work, or one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional.
You can apply for money to help to pay for things you need to help you to do your job like:
- special equipment
- physical changes to your workplace
- taxi journeys to and from work if you cannot use public transport
- a support worker or job coach to help you at work
- disability awareness training for the people you work with
If I get Access to Work will it affect my other benefits?
If you get an Access to Work grant, it will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.
The information on this page is for
guidance
Guidance means being given clear instructions to be able to do something well.
only. Mencap hold no responsibility for DWP processes, timescales, decisions, and service.