Access to Work

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work (AtW) provides advice and practical support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from a disability.

How does it do this?

As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and employers, AtW pays a grant, through Jobcentre Plus, towards any extra employment costs that result from a disability.

Am I eligible for help through Access to Work?

If your disability or health condition affects the type of work you do, and it is likely to last for 12 months or longer, contact your nearest AtW Business Centre to check whether you are eligible for AtW.

If you have a disability and are in a job, about to start in a job, or are self- employed, AtW could also be for you. It applies to any paid job, part-time or full-time, permanent or temporary.

Unemployed or employed disabled people needing help with a communicator at a job interview can also get help through AtW.

What type of help can be provided through Access to Work?

AtW can help in a number of ways. For example, it can help pay for:

  • communicator support at interview (CSI) which meets the full cost of hiring an interpreter to remove barriers to communication at interview;
  • a support worker, which allows the applicant to use the services of a helper. Types of support might include reading to a visually impaired person, communicating for a hearing impaired person via sign language (other than at interview which is covered by CSI), providing specialist coaching for a person with learning difficulties or helping a person with care needs;
  • special aids and equipment to help a disabled person function in the work place;
  • adaptations to premises or to existing equipment;
  • help with the additional costs of travel to work, or in work for people who are unable to use public transport.

    How are my particular needs assessed?

    The AtW Adviser will normally speak to you and your employer to arrive at the most effective solution. In the majority of cases, this can be done over the telephone, however, a visit can be arranged if necessary. Sometimes specialist or technical advice may be needed, which the AtW Adviser will help arrange.

    How long will it take to get the help I need?

    We aim to get you the help that you need in the shortest possible time. However, if it’s likely to take some time, the AtW Adviser will explore temporary alternatives with you, for example a support worker or reader, while the permanent solution is arranged and delivered.

    Who will obtain the help I need?

    It’s usually your employer (or you if you are self-employed) who will arrange to obtain the agreed support and then claim back the grant from AtW.

    How much is my Access to Work grant?

    AtW pays a percentage of the total cost of approved support depending on how long you have been in employment, what support is needed, or whether you are self-employed, for example:

    Access to Work pays up to 100% of the approved costs for:

  • unemployed people starting a job;
  • all self-employed people; and
  • people, working for an employer, who have been in the job for less than 6 weeks


    • Whatever the employment status of the applicant, Access to Work pays up to 100% of the approved costs of help with:

  • support workers;

  • fares to work; and
  • communicator support at interview.

    For people, working for an employer, who have been in the job for 6 weeks or more and need special equipment or adaptations to premises, AtW pays a proportion of the costs of support, as follows.

    Approved Cost Maximum Access to work contribution
    Less than £300 Nil
    Between £300 and £10,000 80% of the cost over £300
    Over £10,000 80% of the cost between £300 and £10,000 and 100% of the cost over £10,000

    All help is for a maximum period of 3 years after which the AtW Business Centre will review the support and the circumstances. Access to Work may provide help for a further period if you continue to be eligible for help under the rules that then apply.

    How do I apply for Access to Work?

    You will need to contact your nearest AtW Business Centre. Staff there will tell you more about AtW and how it could help your place of work. Contact details of the Access to Work Business Centre nearest to you can be found in the Access to Work addresses at the top of this page

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