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Access to Work vs employer duty: who pays for what?
A common confusion: employers still owe reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act, even when Access to Work exists. The grant can fund extra support, but it is not a substitute for core employer duties.
Guide summary
A common confusion: employers still owe reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act, even when Access to Work exists. The grant can fund extra support, but it is not a substitute for core employer duties.
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
- Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
- Escalate delays that leave you unable to work safely.
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Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- 2List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
- 3Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
Quick answer
A common confusion: employers still owe reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act, even when Access to Work exists. The grant can fund extra support, but it is not a substitute for core employer duties.
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Step 1 of 4
List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
What this means
- Prepare: List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- Check: List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
Practical checklist
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- Prepare: List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- Check: List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
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Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
- Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
- Escalate delays that leave you unable to work safely.
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How to describe your barrier clearly
Write the barrier down in plain language: what happens, when it happens, what support helps, and what risk or cost appears if nothing changes.
Common mistakes
- This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. For safety-critical equipment, transfers, skin issues, or legal deadlines, get specialist support.
If they refuse, delay, or ignore you
- Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
- Escalate delays that leave you unable to work safely.
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Need help applying "Access to Work vs employer duty: who pays for what?" to your situation? Ask about any step, evidence, or wording below.
Guide summary
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
- Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
- Escalate delays that leave you unable to work safely.
Helpful templates
At a glance
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
- Confirm in writing which party is paying each item and by when.
- List adjustments your employer should provide immediately under reasonable adjustments.
- List additional specialist costs that Access to Work may fund.
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