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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.
At a glance
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
Get help applying this guide to your situation with plain-English suggestions.
Start here
Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1List your main work barriers and the tasks they affect.
- 2Check GOV.UK eligibility and what Access to Work may fund.
- 3Gather job details, employer contacts, and quotes before you apply.
Quick answer
Describe the work barrier, the impact on your job, and the support you need. Access to Work can help with extra disability-related costs — it does not replace your employer’s duty to make reasonable adjustments.
Use this guide if…
- Disabled people starting or staying in paid work who face extra costs because of disability.
- Employees and self-employed people who need equipment, travel support, or a support worker.
- Supporters helping someone prepare an Access to Work application with consent.
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
Access to Work is a UK government support scheme that can help disabled people and people with health conditions get or stay in work. It can help with extra work-related costs linked to disability or a health condition.
Access to Work can support things like specialist equipment, assistive software, support workers, travel support, workplace adaptations, mental health support and communication support at interviews.
Important: Access to Work does not replace your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments. Your employer may still need to remove barriers, change policies, provide equipment, adjust working patterns or make workplace changes.
What this means
- Access to Work is usually for extra support linked to your disability or health condition.
- Your employer may still be responsible for reasonable adjustments.
- Access to Work can sometimes advise your employer about support needs.
- You can apply if you are working, about to start work, self-employed, or attending certain interviews.
Practical checklist
Example scenario
Someone cannot use public transport safely because of their condition. Their employer may need to consider reasonable adjustments, but Access to Work may also help with travel support if the need is linked to getting to or staying in work.
Ask the AI: Help me understand whether Access to Work could apply to my situation
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Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
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.
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.
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