Benefits & Support
Access to Work Grant Guide UK 2026 — Support for Disabled Workers
Complete guide to the Access to Work grant including what's covered, how much you can get, eligibility, and how to apply for workplace support.
Access to Work is a government grant that helps pay for practical support if you have a disability or health condition that affects your work. It can fund specialist equipment, support workers, travel assistance, and more.
Access to Work at a Glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Maximum grant |
Approximately £66,000 per year |
| Who can apply |
Employees, self-employed, about to start work |
| What’s funded |
Equipment, support workers, travel, communication |
| Cost to you |
Usually nothing directly |
| Means-tested |
No |
| Taxable |
No |
What Can Access to Work Pay For?
Specialist Equipment
| Equipment Type |
Examples |
| Ergonomic equipment |
Specialist chairs, adjustable desks, ergonomic keyboards/mice |
| Visual impairment |
Screen magnification software, braille displays, large monitors |
| Hearing impairment |
Amplified phones, text-to-speech software |
| Cognitive support |
Mind-mapping software, voice recorders, specialist apps |
| Physical support |
Wheelchair adaptations for work, lifting equipment |
| Mental health |
Noise-cancelling headphones, specialist lighting |
Communication Support
| Support Type |
Who It’s For |
| British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters |
Deaf BSL users |
| Lip-speakers |
Deaf or hard of hearing |
| Note-takers |
Deaf people in meetings/training |
| Speech-to-text reporters |
Real-time captioning |
| Communication support workers |
Various communication needs |
Support Workers
| Support |
Examples |
| Job coach |
Help learning tasks, building routines |
| Support worker |
Practical assistance during the workday |
| Mental health support |
Regular coaching, coping strategies |
| Personal reader |
Help with reading for visually impaired people |
| Travel assistant |
Support getting to/from work |
Travel Costs
| Travel Support |
What’s Covered |
| Travel to work |
If you can’t use public transport due to disability |
| Taxi fares |
Full or partial funding for work travel |
| Adaptations to vehicle |
If you need modifications to drive to work |
| Travel during work |
Meetings, training, travel between sites |
Mental Health Support
| Support |
Details |
| Workplace assessments |
Specialist assessment of needs |
| Counselling/coaching |
Regular sessions with mental health professionals |
| Coping strategies training |
Building resilience and management techniques |
| Reasonable adjustments advice |
Help identifying what changes would help |
How Much Can You Get?
Maximum Award
| Year |
Maximum Annual Grant |
| 2024/25 |
£65,180 |
| 2025/26 |
£65,180 |
| 2026/27 |
~£66,000 (estimate) |
Important: Most awards are much smaller than the maximum. The amount you receive depends on your specific support needs.
No Fixed Amount
| Type of Support |
Typical Funding |
| Specialist chair |
£300–£1,500 |
| Screen reader software |
£500–£1,500 |
| BSL interpreter (per day) |
£200–£400 |
| Support worker (part-time) |
£10,000–£25,000/year |
| Mental health coaching |
£2,000–£8,000/year |
| Taxi to work |
£3,000–£15,000/year |
Cost Sharing (For Employees Only)
| Who Pays |
What They Cover |
| Access to Work |
Most specialist support, disability-specific costs |
| Employer |
Reasonable adjustments they would provide anyway |
| You |
Nothing directly |
Note: Employer contributions only apply to certain equipment that might benefit any employee. There’s no cost-sharing for:
- Self-employed people
- Support workers
- Communication support
- Travel costs
- Mental health support
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility
| Requirement |
Details |
| Age |
16 or over |
| Location |
Living and working in England, Scotland, or Wales |
| Employment status |
Employed, self-employed, or about to start work |
| Disability/condition |
Physical, sensory, mental health, or learning disability that affects your work |
| Right to work |
Legal right to work in the UK |
Employment Situations
| Situation |
Eligible? |
| Employee (full-time) |
Yes |
| Employee (part-time) |
Yes |
| Zero-hours contract |
Yes |
| Self-employed |
Yes |
| Starting a new job |
Yes (apply before you start) |
| Work trial or interview |
Yes |
| Apprentice |
Yes |
| Supported internship |
Yes |
| Work experience |
Case by case |
Conditions That Qualify
| Condition Type |
Examples |
| Physical disability |
Mobility impairments, chronic pain, dexterity issues |
| Sensory impairment |
Blindness, low vision, deafness, hearing loss |
| Learning disability |
Dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia |
| Mental health |
Anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, OCD |
| Neurodivergence |
Autism, ADHD |
| Long-term health conditions |
MS, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, epilepsy |
| Progressive conditions |
Motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s |
How to Apply
Application Process
| Step |
What Happens |
| 1 |
Apply online at GOV.UK or call 0800 121 7479 |
| 2 |
Provide details about your condition and work |
| 3 |
Access to Work adviser contacts you |
| 4 |
Workplace assessment arranged (if needed) |
| 5 |
Assessment report with recommendations |
| 6 |
Access to Work reviews and makes decision |
| 7 |
Award letter with what’s funded |
| 8 |
Claim back costs or get direct funding |
| Information |
Details |
| Your details |
Name, National Insurance number, contact details |
| Employer details |
Name, address, contact (if employed) |
| Your condition |
Description of disability/health condition |
| Work impact |
How your condition affects your work |
| Support needed |
What you think would help |
| Starting date |
When you started or will start work |
Application Tips
| Tip |
Why It Matters |
| Be specific about difficulties |
Helps assessor understand your needs |
| Describe tasks you struggle with |
Links condition to workplace impact |
| Mention what you’ve tried |
Shows you’ve considered solutions |
| Include any medical evidence |
Supports your application |
| Ask your employer for support |
They can provide workplace information |
The Workplace Assessment
What to Expect
| Aspect |
Details |
| Who does it |
Specialist assessor (occupational health, disability specialist) |
| Where |
Your workplace, home, or virtual |
| Duration |
1–2 hours typically |
| Focus |
Understanding your needs and work environment |
| Output |
Written report with recommendations |
Questions You Might Be Asked
| Topic |
Example Questions |
| Your condition |
How does it affect you day-to-day? |
| Work tasks |
What do you struggle with most? |
| Current adjustments |
What help do you have now? |
| What would help |
What do you think you need? |
| Work environment |
Office, home, travel requirements |
Getting Paid
How Funding Works
| Payment Method |
How It Works |
| Direct payment |
Access to Work pays supplier directly |
| Reimbursement |
You pay first, then claim back |
| Regular payments |
For ongoing costs like travel or support workers |
Claiming Costs
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Keep receipts/invoices for everything |
| 2 |
Submit claims monthly or as costs occur |
| 3 |
Claim online or by post |
| 4 |
Payment within a few weeks |
Common Situations
Starting a New Job
| Timing |
What Happens |
| Apply before you start |
Support can be in place from day one |
| Apply after starting |
May take time for support to arrive |
| Probation period |
Access to Work can help ensure you succeed |
Self-Employed
| Feature |
Self-Employed Access to Work |
| Cost-sharing |
None — no employer contribution |
| What’s covered |
Equipment, travel, support workers |
| Where you work |
Home office, client sites, co-working spaces |
| Business type |
Any — sole trader, freelance, contractor |
Working from Home
| Support |
Available for Home Working? |
| Specialist equipment |
Yes — desks, chairs, screens, software |
| Support workers |
Yes — can assist remotely or in person |
| Mental health support |
Yes — video sessions common |
| Travel costs |
May cover travel to occasional office days |
Mental Health
| Support Available |
Details |
| Workplace assessment |
Specific mental health assessors available |
| Coping strategies |
Regular coaching sessions |
| Workplace adjustments advice |
Help negotiating with employer |
| Support worker |
Help managing workload, meetings |
| Equipment |
Noise-cancelling headphones, specialist lighting |
Access to Work and Other Support
Benefits
| Benefit |
Interaction with Access to Work |
| PIP |
Completely separate — can receive both |
| ESA |
Separate — Access to Work for when you’re working |
| Universal Credit |
Separate — Access to Work doesn’t affect UC |
| DLA |
Separate — can receive both |
Reasonable Adjustments
| Aspect |
Reasonable Adjustments |
Access to Work |
| Legal requirement |
Yes — Equality Act 2010 |
No — voluntary grant |
| Who provides |
Employer |
Government |
| What’s covered |
Changes employer should make anyway |
Specialist disability support |
| Cost |
Employer pays |
Government pays (mostly) |
Note: Employers must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. Access to Work goes beyond this for disability-specific support.
Appeal and Complaints
If Your Application Is Refused
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Ask for written reasons for the decision |
| 2 |
Request a review if you disagree |
| 3 |
Provide additional evidence if available |
| 4 |
Contact a disability organisation for support |
Helpful Organisations
| Organisation |
How They Help |
| Disability Rights UK |
Advice on Access to Work |
| Citizens Advice |
General benefits and rights advice |
| RNIB |
Visual impairment support |
| RNID (Action on Hearing Loss) |
Hearing impairment support |
| Mind |
Mental health workplace advice |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does an Award Last?
Most awards last 3 years, with annual reviews. Some equipment is funded as a one-off purchase. Support workers and travel costs are reviewed annually.
Can I Take Equipment to a New Job?
Usually yes, if the equipment is still suitable. You may need to reapply if your needs change or you need additional support.
Does My Employer Know I’ve Applied?
| Situation |
Employer Knowledge |
| You share your application |
Yes — and they may need to contribute |
| You don’t share it |
They’ll know if support is provided at workplace |
| Self-employed |
Not applicable |
What If My Employer Won’t Cooperate?
Your employer cannot refuse Access to Work support. If they’re uncooperative:
- They may be breaching the Equality Act
- Contact ACAS for employment advice
- Consider formal grievance procedures
Summary
| Feature |
Details |
| Maximum annual grant |
~£66,000 |
| Who can apply |
Employees, self-employed, job starters |
| What’s covered |
Equipment, support workers, travel, communication |
| Cost to you |
Nothing directly |
| How long |
Awards typically last 3 years |
| Application |
Online at GOV.UK or call 0800 121 7479 |
Next step: Apply online at gov.uk/access-to-work or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.