What is access to work?

Navigating the professional world with neurodiversity or a long-term health condition can be challenging, but not impossible.

You could get up to £69,260 in support from the UK government through the Access to Work scheme.

No diagnosis? No problem.

Whether you're employed or a freelancer, your potential is limitless with the right support.

Access to Work is a UK government initiative from the DWP aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities who need additional support in their professional roles.

This includes those with conditions like ADHD and neurodiversity, as well as those with physical disabilities.

Access to Work stands out as a positive exception from other DWP initiatives. This scheme genuinely aids individuals by providing lifechanging equipment and assistance, ensuring disabled people get the support they need to start, remain, and thrive in their professional life.

Eligibility

Personal criteria:

  • You live and work in Great Britain

  • You have a disability, health condition, or mental health condition affecting your job performance

  • You’re aged 16 or over

  • You need an aid, adaptation, financial or human support to do your job

Work-related criteria:

  • You’re currently in paid work or you’re about to start work or become self-employed

  • If you’re employed, you’re paid at least the National Minimum Wage

  • If you’re self-employed, you have a Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number

  • You’re starting a work placement in certain internships or traineeships

  • You have a job interview, work trial, or work experience lined up via Jobcentre Plus

You can’t get ATW if:

  • You’re in unpaid work, including volunteering

  • You’re a civil servant

  • You’re receiving Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Income Support, or National Insurance credits

  • Your Universal Credit claim doesn’t allow you to apply for any paid work

  • You’re a non-EU resident without a visa to live and work in Great Britain

What ATW Covers

  • Specialist equipment to support you

  • Modifications to your existing equipment

  • Travel fares if public transport isn't feasible

  • Support workers or job coaches

  • Mental health support for work-related challenges

  • Disability awareness training for your peers

What ATW doesn’t cover

  • Standard equipment

  • Things your employer should provide as reasonable adjustments

  • Support your employer previously provided but later withdrew

  • Costs for setting up your own business

  • The cost of professional development, for example, attending training events or courses

How to apply for ATW

The application questions

  • About you

    Your name, address, and date of birth

    Your contact details and contact preferences

    A list of your conditions or disabilities

    A description of how your condition or disability affects you at work

  • Details about your work

    Your employment status

    Your job title, starting date, and workplace name and address

    A description of what you do at work

    The average days and hours of work you do each week

    A workplace contact ATW can reach out to with questions

  • What support you need from ATW

    While the other sections are straightforward, this section requires you to explain and justify what support you’re asking for

    You’ll need to go through 7 different support categories and state whether you’d like to receive that type of support

    For each support category, you’ll be asked to write about how having that support would help you at work

How to answer the ATW application questions

The easiest way to apply is to visit the official Access to Work website and simply fill in your answers to the questions above.

Top tip: Many people put off applying because they’re afraid they’re not describing their condition or what help they’re hoping to get quite perfectly or comprehensively. But the content of your application isn't the end-all-be-all.

Even if you skipped a support category by saying, ‘No, I don’t need this support type’, you can still get support from that category later on.

This is because once ATW gets to your application, your case manager will explore anything you couldn’t exactly answer, and you’ll have a chance to add anything you thought of in the meantime.

Your ATW assessment may also uncover that you need support you didn’t think of when you applied. The ATW assessment is like a conversation. It’s your chance to add things and make any corrections.

So don’t be held back by feeling like your application is not perfect and apply as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.

What happens next? - the ATW process in a nutshell

Your ATW case manager gets in touch with you

The duration for processing applications can vary, but usual wait times range between 3-4 months. If you're set to start a new job within the upcoming month, your application will be given priority.

When it’s your turn, an Access to Work case manager will be in touch to follow up on your application. If you are unsure about what support would work best for you, they will also offer to set up an assessment for you.

During the assessment, you'll discuss:

  • Your current job role and work environment

  • The specific ways your condition affects your professional performance

It might also be necessary for the assessor to communicate with your employer and potentially schedule a workplace inspection.

Top tip: You should hang onto any receipts after you apply, as you have the option to backdate your claim.

Your grant is finalised and support is put in place

After your assessment, your case manager will finalise your grant’s details.

After about a week after your assessment, your case manager will get in touch to check you’re happy with the proposed grant. This is your last chance to change anything or make any corrections.

Depending on how many things need amending, this process can take around a month.

Once the grant is finalised, you have 13 weeks to purchase any one-off support (like special equipment). You then have 9 months after the purchase date to claim the money back from ATW.

Ongoing support (for example, support worker costs or taxi costs) can be claimed back until your grant’s end date.

What can you get?

Your ATW grant is meant to give you the support you need to continue work. What you will get depends on your unique needs (and what you ask for!). Here are some concrete examples to inspire you.

Cognitive and neurodiverse support

  • Remarkable notepad for taking notes

  • Digital software solutions (Dragon Naturally Speaking, Notion, Todoist, etc.)

  • Coaching for neurodiverse conditions

  • A professional organiser and tidier for your workspace

  • Visual timers

  • Digital and physical planners/kanban boards

  • Noise cancelling headphones

  • Website and app blockers

  • Focus music apps

  • Meditation apps

  • Awareness training for work colleagues

  • Computer software & hardware

Mental health and
wellbeing

  • Sunrise alarm clock

  • Support workers (especially for mental health)

  • Coaching

  • Meditation apps

  • Coworking space access

Organisation and task management

  • Smartwatch for synchronisation

  • Taxis or travel arrangements

  • Compatible devices for synchronisation

  • Task managers (Todoist, Asana, Trello)

  • Time tracking (RescueTime)

Physical mobility and comfort

  • Standing desk

  • Ergonomic chair

  • Finger splints

  • Under desk treadmill/bike

  • Wobble board

  • Exercise ball

  • Large desk area

  • Multiple screens

  • Fidget tools and stress balls

  • Weighted blankets

  • Adaptations to your workplace

How can I help?

Navigating the Access to Work process is known to be challenging, especially for neurodiverse people. It’s a terrific idea for sure, but the process is obscure, there’s no information about it online, and case managers are overworked and don’t have the time to explain things to you or prepare you for what’s to come.

But that's where I come in. Here's how I can make your ATW journey smoother:

Grant consultations: Have questions about ATW? Whether you're about to apply, have already done so, or just have some questions in general, I'm here to clarify things. Employers, I've got your back too. I can help you understand your options and make the most of ATW.

ATW application support: Think of this as a journey we take together. From filling out applications to liaising with ATW, gathering documents, communicating with your employer, and implementing support, I’m by your side every step of the way.

Navigating government processes can be daunting. But having guided many through these same steps, I'm confident I can help you ensure you make the most of this amazing opportunity.

Let's ensure you get the support you need and deserve!

 FAQs

  • To qualify for Access to Work, you must live in the UK, be over 16 years old, and have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work.

    You can apply if you're already employed, about to start work, self-employed, or have a job interview lined up.

    Those who are self-employed or are a business owner/director must also meet the grant’s Lower Earnings Limit, which is £6,396 for 2023.

  • The duration of Access to Work grants varies based on individual circumstances and the likelihood of changes in your condition or situation.

    Initially, grants are normally given for 1 year, but 6-month grants are also not unheard of.

    If your circumstances remain consistent beyond that, you can apply for a renewal 12 weeks before your grant expires. Renewals can range from 1 to 3 years, again depending on your specific conditions and needs.

  • The amount Access to Work provides varies based on your specific needs.

    For 2023, the maximum grant is £66,000, though very few individuals receive the full amount. The funding is always based on genuine requirements and associated costs.

    For example, someone might only need a dimmable monitor and specialist goggles for light sensitivity, which is far less than the cost of providing a full-time support worker, taxi fare reimbursements, and an ergonomic chair for another individual.

    The key is identifying your unique needs and advocating for them so you can maximise your grant’s value.

  • Technically, yes, employers can refuse to buy the support ATW recommends. After all, they’re only recommendations, much like an outsourced workplace assessment.

    However, it would be a missed opportunity for them to decline such valuable support, often available at little to no cost.

    Smart employers recognise that investing in the recommended tools or adjustments from ATW can empower their employees to excel in their roles.

    And when these recommendations come at a significant discount, it's a win-win for both the employee and the company.

    Ultimately, employers who genuinely value their staff will understand the importance of taking advantage of ATW's recommendations.

    It’s also worth noting that if your employer refuses to buy you support via ATW, you can report them to the DWP by calling ATW. The DWP will give them hell for technically breaking their responsibilities under the Equality Act.

  • Contrary to a common misconception, you don't need a formal diagnosis.

    Having one might empower you with a better understanding of your condition and thus enable you to confidently request specific workplace accommodations, but it’s not a requirement.

    You only need to qualify as disabled under the Equality Act 2010. In summary, you need to have ‘a physical or mental impairment that substantially impacts daily activities’.

    You can still apply to ATW if your condition mainly affects your job instead of your daily activities.

  • No, ATW is not means tested. This means whether you’re eligible does not depend on how much money you earn or how much money you may have saved up.

    The only assessment you'll face is whether your condition significantly affects your ability to perform your job.

    Remember, what's most important with ATW is your experience and the challenges you encounter in your work environment.

  • To reclaim the money from ATW, you'll need to complete specific official forms provided by the DWP depending on what you’re claiming for, namely:

    DP222JP: Claim for support worker costs

    DP224JP: Claim for one-off costs

    DP226JP: Claim for travel to work costs

    DP227JP: Claim for travel costs during working hours

    DP228JP: New or amended details

    It's essential to do these forms correctly, as even a single error can delay your reimbursement by weeks while corrections are made or you're contacted to resubmit.

    If you're feeling uncertain about the process, reach out to me for assistance. I'm also preparing detailed guides for each form type, so stay tuned! You can subscribe to my newsletter to be notified as soon as they're available.