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Access to Work: What You Can Ask For and How to Apply
A practical, step-by-step guide to what Access to Work can fund, how to apply, and how to ask for the right support with confidence.
Guide summary
A practical, step-by-step guide to what Access to Work can fund, how to apply, and how to ask for the right support with confidence.
- Understand what Access to Work is
- Identify support you may need
- Check what Access to Work may fund
- Prepare before applying
- Handle the assessment process
- Use, review or challenge a decision
Practical next steps
Visible actions you can take now — no accordion required.
Use a template
Download wording you can adapt for letters, emails, or conversations.
See templates →Ask Access Stamp AI
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Start here
Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1List the exact work tasks or journeys that are difficult.
- 2Write what happens without support.
- 3Identify possible support: equipment, software, travel, support worker, or workplace changes.
Quick answer
Do not apply by saying, “I need a special chair” or “I need software.” Apply by explaining the barrier: the task, the impact, the risk, and the support that would reduce it.
Use this guide if…
- Disabled people or people with a health condition affecting work (employed or self-employed).
- People about to start a job or apprenticeship (timing rules apply — check GOV.UK).
- Employers cannot apply instead of you, but they are often involved in quotes and setup.
Common questions
Practical answers you can use straight away — expand any question for next steps, example wording, and related help.
No. Your employer still has a duty to make reasonable adjustments. Access to Work can help with extra costs that may not be reasonable for the employer to cover alone, such as specialist equipment, travel, or support workers.
What to do next
- Document workplace barriers with your employer in parallel.
- Apply for Access to Work with work-linked examples and quotes.
- Do not buy equipment before approval unless GOV.UK guidance confirms you can.
Employed and self-employed people whose health condition or disability affects their ability to do their job may be eligible. Rules change — always confirm current eligibility on GOV.UK before applying. You usually apply yourself, not through your employer.
What to do next
- Check GOV.UK eligibility for your employment status.
- List barriers by work task before starting the application.
- Gather quotes for equipment or support where possible.
Evidence checklist
- Job description and typical tasks
- Barrier → support table with costs
- Employer contact for role confirmation (if needed)
Ask for written reasons and whether a different support option could be funded. You may be able to request a review through the published dispute route. Keep pursuing reasonable adjustments with your employer regardless.
What to do next
- Request clarification in writing within the timeframe on your decision letter.
- Ask if a cheaper alternative would be approved.
- Reapply if your job or barriers change materially.
Example wording
I am requesting clarification of the decision dated [date]. Could you confirm which barrier was not accepted and whether [alternative support] could be considered instead?
Step-by-step
Your progress
Step 2 of 6
Before applying, get clear about what is making work difficult. Access to Work is more likely to make sense when you can explain the barrier, how it affects your work, and what support could help.
Start with the problem, not the product. Do not just say “I need equipment”. Explain what task is difficult and why.
What this means
- A barrier might be physical, sensory, communication-related, cognitive, travel-related, pain-related, fatigue-related or mental-health-related.
- Support should be connected to your job tasks.
- You do not need to know the perfect solution before applying, but you should describe what is difficult.
- A workplace assessment may help identify the right support.
Practical checklist
- What part of work is difficult or inaccessible?
- Is the issue about equipment, travel, communication, support workers, workplace layout, mental health, or working from home?
- How often does the issue happen?
- What happens if the support is not provided?
- What support have I already tried?
- What would make the task safer, easier or more manageable?
Support categories
- Equipment and software — assistive software, ergonomic equipment, specialist chairs, adapted keyboards, speech-to-text, screen readers, specialist computer equipment.
- Human support — support worker, job coach, BSL interpreter, lipspeaker, note taker, travel buddy.
- Travel support — help with extra travel costs if disability or health condition means public transport is not suitable.
- Workplace changes — physical changes to a workplace, including a home workplace if you work from home some or all of the time.
- Mental health support — tailored support plan and one-to-one sessions through the Access to Work mental health support route.
Example wording
“The main barrier is that I cannot safely travel to work using public transport because of my health condition. This affects my ability to attend work reliably. I would like Access to Work to consider travel support.”
Ask the AI: Turn my work barriers into possible Access to Work support needs
You're making progress
You've completed 1 of 6 steps in this guide.
Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
- Job description and typical tasks (hours, location, equipment used).
- A short barrier list: what stops you doing tasks safely, reliably, or on time.
- Quotes for equipment or support (AtW often needs costed options).
- Letters from OH, GP, or therapist describing work impact — functional wording helps.
- Employer contact willing to confirm role details (not always required but useful).
Copy-and-adapt templates
Wording you can paste into email, letters, or conversation notes.
Barrier → solution table (for your notes)
Task: Video calls / screen work Barrier: Eye strain and pain after 20 minutes; cannot sustain full working day Support requested: Large monitor, text-to-speech software, scheduled breaks protocol Estimated cost: [quote] How it enables work: Completes core hours without missing deadlines
Common mistakes
- Asking for items unrelated to work (home-only equipment without work link).
- Assuming AtW replaces the employer’s duty to make reasonable adjustments.
- Buying equipment before approval without checking payment rules.
- Vague applications (“I need a better chair”) without linking to tasks and hours.
If they refuse, delay, or ignore you
- Ask for written reasons and whether another solution could be funded instead.
- Request a review of the decision through the AtW dispute route (check current GOV.UK process).
- Raise reasonable adjustments with your employer in parallel — AtW is additional, not a replacement.
Access Stamp AI
Need help applying this guide to your situation? Ask about what Access to Work may fund, how to explain your work barriers, what to prepare before applying, or what to do if your application is delayed or refused.
Guide summary
- Understand what Access to Work is
- Identify support you may need
- Check what Access to Work may fund
- Prepare before applying
- Handle the assessment process
- Use, review or challenge a decision
Helpful templates
Access to Work application prep checklist
Gather the details you need before applying.
DOCXWork barriers and support needs worksheet
Turn your work barriers into clear support requests.
DOCXAccess to Work call notes template
Keep a record of adviser calls, evidence requests and next steps.
DOCXDecision review email template
Ask for clarification or review if the support offered is unclear or insufficient.
DOCX
At a glance
- Access to Work can help with extra disability-related work costs.
- It can support equipment, software, travel, support workers and communication support.
- It does not replace your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments.
- Explain the work barrier, the impact and the support you need.
- Keep copies of applications, decisions, receipts and emails.
- Check renewal dates if your support is ongoing.
Official guidance
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