Who is eligible for Access to Work?

You can apply if you're aged 16 or over, you have a disability or a physical or mental health condition that affects your work, and you're in (or about to start) paid work — that includes employment, an apprenticeship, a work trial or internship, and self-employment. Your work must be based in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own scheme). You don't need a formal diagnosis decision from anyone else to apply, and being on PIP doesn't stop you applying — they're separate.

What can Access to Work pay for?

Common awards include: specialist equipment and assistive software, ergonomic adaptations, a support worker or job aide, a British Sign Language interpreter or lip speaker, taxi fares to and from work where your condition makes public transport unrealistic, adaptations to a vehicle, disability awareness training for colleagues, and the mental health support service — up to 9 months of confidential one-to-one support to stay in or return to work. It tops up what's beyond an employer's reasonable adjustments duty, so it works alongside (not instead of) what your employer must already do.

Does Access to Work cover mental health?

Yes. The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service offers up to 9 months of confidential, one-to-one support from a specialist provider if anxiety, depression, stress or another mental health condition is affecting your work or sick leave. It includes a personalised support plan and coping strategies, and your employer doesn't have to know your diagnosis. Many people use Access to Work for mental health alone, without any equipment element.

How do I apply for Access to Work?

Apply online through GOV.UK ('Apply for Access to Work') or by phone on 0800 121 7479. You'll describe your condition, your job and what support would help — you don't need to know the exact solutions; an assessor can recommend them. Apply as early as you can (you can apply up to 6 weeks before starting a job), because there can be a waiting list. If you're awarded support, keep receipts and claim promptly.

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Access to Work — the biggest grant most workers have never heard of.

Q: What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a DWP grant that pays for practical and mental health support so a disability or health condition doesn't hold you back in paid work. It can fund special equipment and software, adaptations, support workers, British Sign Language interpreters, travel to and from work where public transport isn't realistic, and a 9-month mental health support service. The maximum award is £69,260 per year (2025/26). It is a grant, not a loan — you never repay it — and it doesn't affect your other benefits.

Last verified 6 Jun 2026 · Source GOV.UK Access to Work factsheet + DWP guidance · Publisher: SortedUK Ltd (filed 5 Jun 2026)

If a disability or a physical or mental health condition affects your paid work, Access to Work can fund up to £69,260 a year of support: equipment, software, support workers, BSL interpreters, taxi travel where public transport isn't realistic, and a 9-month mental health support service. It's a grant, not a loan — never repaid — and it doesn't affect your benefits. The self-employed qualify too.

£69,260/yrMaximum award (2025/26)

Never repaidGrant, not a loan

9 monthsMental health support

Self-employedEligible too

What it pays for Your rights at work

Who can apply

You're 16 or over.
You have a disability or health condition (physical or mental) that affects your work.
You're in paid work, or about to start — employment, an apprenticeship, a work trial or internship, or self-employment.
Your work is based in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland runs its own scheme).

PIP and Access to Work are separate Getting (or not getting) PIP has no bearing on Access to Work — they're different systems with different tests. Plenty of people who'd never qualify for PIP get genuinely life-changing Access to Work awards, especially for mental health.

What it can pay for

Specialist equipment + assistive software — screen readers, dictation tools, ergonomic kit.
A support worker or job aide — including admin support linked to your condition.
BSL interpreters or lip speakers for deaf workers.
Travel to and from work — taxis where your condition makes public transport unrealistic, or vehicle adaptations.
Disability awareness training for your colleagues.
Mental health support — up to 9 months of confidential one-to-one support, a personalised plan and coping strategies, whether you're struggling at work or returning from sick leave.

The grant covers support beyond your employer's legal duty to make reasonable adjustments — it works alongside it, not instead of it.

The mental health route

You don't need any equipment element to use Access to Work. If anxiety, depression or stress is affecting your job or keeping you on sick leave, the Mental Health Support Service alone is worth applying for:

Up to 9 months of confidential one-to-one support from a specialist provider.
A personalised support plan built around your job.
Your employer doesn't need to know your diagnosis.

How to apply

Claim it now — free

Apply via GOV.UK → 📞 Call 0800 121 7479

Have ready: your condition, your job, and what's hard — you don't need to know the solutions; an assessor can recommend them. Apply before paying for support yourself.

Apply online at GOV.UK ("Apply for Access to Work") or call 0800 121 7479.
Describe your condition, your job, and what's hard — you don't need to know the solutions; an assessor can recommend them.
Apply early — you can apply up to 6 weeks before starting a job, and there can be a waiting list, so don't sit on it.
Awards can run up to 3 years, reviewed annually. Keep receipts and claim promptly.

Don't pay for workplace support yourself first People quietly fund their own taxis, software or support out of wages for years without knowing this scheme exists. Apply before spending your own money — and if your employer suggests you "just manage", remember the grant exists precisely so you don't have to.

Free UK support

GOV.UK Access to Work — eligibility + the online application.
Access to Work helpline — 0800 121 7479.
Scope — 0808 800 3333. Disability employment advice.
Citizens Advice — 0800 144 8848. Free help applying.
ACAS — 0300 123 1100 if reasonable adjustments are being refused.

Access to Work — common questions

What is Access to Work?

A DWP grant of up to £69,260/yr (2025/26) that pays for practical and mental health support so a disability or health condition doesn't hold you back in paid work. Never repaid; doesn't affect other benefits.

Who is eligible?

Anyone 16+ with a disability or physical/mental health condition affecting their work, in or about to start paid work — including apprenticeships and self-employment — based in England, Scotland or Wales. PIP status is irrelevant; they're separate systems.

What can it pay for?

Equipment and assistive software, support workers, BSL interpreters, taxi travel to work, vehicle adaptations, colleague awareness training, and the 9-month mental health support service. It sits on top of your employer's reasonable-adjustments duty.

Does it cover mental health?

Yes — up to 9 months of confidential one-to-one support with a personalised plan if anxiety, depression or stress affects your work. Your employer doesn't need to know your diagnosis. You can apply for this alone.

How do I apply?

Online via GOV.UK or on 0800 121 7479. Describe the condition, the job and the difficulty — an assessor can recommend solutions. Apply early (up to 6 weeks before a job starts); awards run up to 3 years, reviewed annually.

Sources Access to Work · GOV.UK (eligibility, what it covers, how to apply). Maximum annual award £69,260 (2025/26) + 3-year awards · DWP Access to Work guidance / factsheet. Mental Health Support Service (9 months, confidential) · GOV.UK Access to Work factsheet. Free help: Access to Work line 0800 121 7479 · Scope 0808 800 3333 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 · ACAS 0300 123 1100. NI has a separate scheme. Last reviewed: 6 June 2026.

Your safest next step today

Condition making work harder? Apply for Access to Work before paying yourself.

Up to £69,260 a year for equipment, support workers, travel and 9 months of mental health support — never repaid, never affecting your benefits. Call 0800 121 7479 or apply on GOV.UK.

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