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Access to Work grants

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a government grant that helps you get a job and stay in work if you have a disability or health condition.

It gives extra support that your employer might not be able to provide on their own.

✅ You do not have to pay the money back
✅ It does not affect your benefits
✅ It is based on what you need as an individual

Access to Work can help you:

  • Feel more confident at work
  • Get the support you need to succeed
  • Keep your job and build your future

Access to Work grant 

You might be able to get support if you:

  • Are 16 or over
  • Have a disability, learning difficulty, or mental health condition
  • Are:
    • Starting a job
    • Already working
    • Going to a job interview
    • Doing an apprenticeship or supported internship

💡 You can still apply if you don’t have a formal diagnosis – you just need to explain how your condition affects you at work.

You might be able to get support if you:

  • Are 16 or over
  • Have a disability, learning difficulty, or mental health condition
  • Are:
    • Starting a job
    • Already working
    • Going to a job interview
    • Doing an apprenticeship or supported internship

💡 You can still apply if you don’t have a formal diagnosis – you just need to explain how your condition affects you at work.

Access to Work can help with things like:

🛠 Equipment and tools

  • Specialist software (e.g. speech-to-text)
  • Adapted keyboards or equipment
  • Changes to your workspace

👥 Support from people

  • A job coach
  • A support worker
  • A communication helper (e.g. BSL interpreter)

🚗 Travel support

  • Taxi fares if you can’t use public transport
  • Help adapting your vehicle

🧠 Mental health support

  • A support plan
  • Coaching or mentoring at work

🎤 Help at interviews

  • Communication support
  • Someone to help you explain your needs

👉 The support is tailored to you – not everyone gets the same thing

⚠️ What Access to Work does NOT cover

  • It does not pay for “reasonable adjustments”
    (these are things your employer must provide by law)

💡 Example:

  • Your employer might provide basic adjustments (like flexible hours)
  • Access to Work helps with extra support beyond that

Access to Work can help with things like:

🛠 Equipment and tools

  • Specialist software (e.g. speech-to-text)
  • Adapted keyboards or equipment
  • Changes to your workspace

👥 Support from people

  • A job coach
  • A support worker
  • A communication helper (e.g. BSL interpreter)

🚗 Travel support

  • Taxi fares if you can’t use public transport
  • Help adapting your vehicle

🧠 Mental health support

  • A support plan
  • Coaching or mentoring at work

🎤 Help at interviews

  • Communication support
  • Someone to help you explain your needs

👉 The support is tailored to you – not everyone gets the same thing

⚠️ What Access to Work does NOT cover

  • It does not pay for “reasonable adjustments”
    (these are things your employer must provide by law)

💡 Example:

  • Your employer might provide basic adjustments (like flexible hours)
  • Access to Work helps with extra support beyond that

You apply yourself (not your employer).

First, check you’re eligible

Then apply online or by phone

To apply online visit Access to Work

Or call 0800 121 7479 for free.

    • You will need:
      • Your contact details
      • Job details
      • Information about your condition
      • What support you think you need 

💡 Top tips for young people

✅ Be honest about what you find difficult at work
✅ Think about what helps you in school or college

You apply yourself (not your employer).

First, check you’re eligible

Then apply online or by phone

To apply online visit Access to Work

Or call 0800 121 7479 for free.

    • You will need:
      • Your contact details
      • Job details
      • Information about your condition
      • What support you think you need 

💡 Top tips for young people

✅ Be honest about what you find difficult at work
✅ Think about what helps you in school or college

If you’re not sure what to do, you can ask:

  • Your college or school SEND team
  • A supported employment adviser
  • Your Jobcentre Plus work coach
  • A careers adviser

If you’re not sure what to do, you can ask:

  • Your college or school SEND team
  • A supported employment adviser
  • Your Jobcentre Plus work coach
  • A careers adviser
  • Do I need a job first?

👉 Yes – you need a job, job offer, or interview

  • Will my employer know?

👉 Only if you agree – they may need to help organise support

  • Can I get support for part-time work?

👉 Yes – it doesn’t matter how many hours you work

  • Does it cost me anything?

👉 No – the grant does not need to be repaid

  • Do I need a job first?

👉 Yes – you need a job, job offer, or interview

  • Will my employer know?

👉 Only if you agree – they may need to help organise support

  • Can I get support for part-time work?

👉 Yes – it doesn’t matter how many hours you work

  • Does it cost me anything?

👉 No – the grant does not need to be repaid

Useful links