How do you get support through Access to Work?

Access to Work can help with the extra support you need to start or stay in work because of a disability or health condition. It can feel like a maze if you are still working out what would actually help. Here is the route from a real work barrier to an application, a decision and usable support. This guide covers England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Ireland has a different service.

What does Access to Work cover?

It is a government programme that can help pay for practical support at work, based on your needs. GOV.UK lists specialist equipment and assistive software, support workers and some travel costs as examples. An award is individual. Being eligible for the scheme does not mean any particular product will be funded.

Access to Work does not pay for the reasonable adjustments an employer is legally responsible for. The two routes can work alongside each other: ask your employer about changes they can make, and use Access to Work for eligible additional support. GOV.UK explains the distinction.

Start with two or three real examples

Write down the work you need to do, where the barrier appears and what you have already tried. For instance: ‘After meetings I lose track of decisions and deadlines; I need a reliable way to capture actions and plan them into available time.’ The point is to show the effect on your work, not to guess a list of products before anyone has discussed your needs.

If a tool might help, be specific about the job it must do. Does it need to turn notes into actions, break work into steps, or schedule focused work around meetings? That makes it easier to compare possible support against your actual working day.

Check eligibility and apply

The official Access to Work service has the current eligibility check and application route. It covers people in, or about to start, paid work in England, Scotland and Wales, subject to the full criteria. Check the official page before relying on a summary, because your employment and circumstances matter.

What happens after you apply?

Someone from Access to Work will contact you about your application. They may ask about your work and health condition, ask to speak to your employer, or arrange an assessment by phone, video or in person. You will receive a decision letter explaining the award and what it should pay for. GOV.UK sets out these steps.

An assessment is not automatic: the customer factsheet says a case manager can discuss a tailored package without one if the support needed is already clear. If a call is difficult, ask about another communication method before the appointment.

Turn the decision into a working setup

• Read the decision letter for the support approved, any conditions and who is responsible for arranging it.
• Agree with your employer how the support will be introduced into your real workflow.
• Check the current claiming instructions before buying anything or assuming a cost will be reimbursed.
• Set a date to review whether the support is doing the job it was meant to do.

If your work or support needs change, tell Access to Work. If you disagree with a decision, GOV.UK explains how to ask for reconsideration.

Sources: GOV.UK: Access to Work service and After you apply; Department for Work and Pensions, Access to Work factsheet for customers (updated May 2026).