Access to Work Grant 2026: How to Get Support Costs Covered
Access to Work can pay for equipment, support workers, travel and mental health support so a disability or health condition doesn't stop you working. Here's how the grant works and how to apply.
What Access to Work actually funds
Access to Work provides practical, tailored support to help disabled people and those with health conditions start or stay in work. Unlike PIP or Universal Credit, it isn't a benefit paid to cover living costs — it specifically funds work-related support based on an individual assessment of what you need to do your job.
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Open Benefit Entitlement calculatorExamples of support covered
| Support type | Example |
|---|---|
| Specialist equipment | Screen-reading software, an ergonomic chair, adapted keyboard |
| Support worker / job coach | Someone to help with tasks you find difficult due to your condition |
| BSL interpreter / lip-speaker | For deaf employees or those with hearing loss |
| Travel to work | Taxi costs where public transport isn't accessible, or a support worker to travel with you |
| Mental health support | Structured mental health support sessions where this helps you stay in work |
| Communication support at interview | Support to help you apply for or interview for jobs |
Who can apply
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 16 or over |
| Employment status | In paid work (employee or self-employed), or have a confirmed job/apprenticeship offer starting soon |
| Health condition | A disability or physical/mental health condition that affects how you do your job or get to work |
| Location | Working in England, Scotland, or Wales (Northern Ireland has a separate but similar scheme) |
How to apply
- Apply directly (not through your employer) via gov.uk, either online or by phone.
- Provide details of your health condition and how it affects your work.
- Your employer will usually be contacted for some information, and may need to cooperate with a workplace assessment.
- An assessor may carry out an assessment (in person or remotely) to identify what specific support would help.
- Access to Work confirms what will be funded and at what level, and payments are usually made directly, or reimbursed to you or your employer depending on the type of support.
Employer cost-sharing for larger employers
For employers with 250 or more employees, Access to Work expects the employer to contribute a percentage towards the cost of certain support (this is sometimes called the employer's "contribution" or the amount above a small employer threshold), with Access to Work funding the rest. Smaller employers are not expected to contribute in the same way, recognising that larger organisations generally have more resources to make some adjustments themselves.
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Open Take-Home Pay calculatorHow Access to Work differs from an employer's "reasonable adjustments" duty
Employers have a separate legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make "reasonable adjustments" for disabled employees at their own expense, where it would be reasonable to expect them to do so. Access to Work is intended to sit alongside this, generally covering:
- Support that goes beyond what's reasonable to expect an employer to fund unaided.
- More specialist or higher-cost equipment and support than a typical reasonable adjustment.
- Support that needs to move with the individual between employers.
In practice, there's often a conversation between the employee, employer, and Access to Work assessor about what falls into each category, and cooperation between all three tends to produce the best outcome.
Access to Work and starting a new job
If you're about to start a new job or apprenticeship and know you'll need support from day one, you can apply for Access to Work before your start date — this is specifically encouraged so the support (equipment, an interpreter, travel arrangements) is ready to go rather than causing a delay once you begin.
Practical tips
- Apply directly yourself — don't wait for your employer to initiate it.
- Be specific and detailed about how your condition affects particular tasks, not just your diagnosis in general terms.
- Keep a record of correspondence and any assessment recommendations, in case a later renewal or change of job needs to reference them.
- If you change jobs, your Access to Work support doesn't automatically transfer — you'll usually need to notify Access to Work and may need a fresh assessment for the new role.
Use the benefit entitlement calculator to check how in-work support like Access to Work fits alongside any other benefits you receive.
Frequently asked questions
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a government grant scheme that pays towards practical support costs — such as specialist equipment, a support worker or job coach, travel costs, and mental health support — for people whose disability or health condition affects how they do their job.
Who can apply for Access to Work?
You can apply if you're in paid work (employed or self-employed), or about to start a job or apprenticeship, are aged 16 or over, and have a disability or physical or mental health condition that makes it harder to do your job or get to work.
Does my employer have to apply for Access to Work, or can I apply myself?
You apply for Access to Work yourself, not your employer, though your employer will usually need to provide some information and cooperate with any assessment. The support and grant are tied to you as an individual, not to a specific employer, so it can move with you between jobs.
How much does Access to Work pay?
There's no fixed amount — the grant covers reasonable costs based on an individual assessment of your needs, and can include a wide range of support. Employers with 250 or more employees are expected to contribute a percentage towards some costs, with Access to Work covering the rest.
Does Access to Work cover reasonable workplace adjustments my employer should provide anyway?
Not exactly — employers have a separate legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments at their own cost. Access to Work is generally there to fund support beyond what's reasonable to expect an employer to provide, though there's often practical overlap and cooperation is encouraged.
How long does an Access to Work application take?
Processing times vary and can take several weeks to a few months depending on demand and the complexity of the assessment, so it's best to apply as early as possible, ideally before starting a new job if you know you'll need support from day one.
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