An Access to Work application mostly comes down to one thing: explaining clearly how your disability or condition affects your work, and what would help. Get that right, and the rest is mostly details you’ll already have to hand.
This guide covers what to have ready, how to apply, and what happens after you send it off. If you’re not sure what the scheme is yet, start with our guide to what Access to Work is.
Before you apply: check you’re eligible
You can apply if you:
- are 16 or over
- have a disability or a physical or mental health condition that means you need support to do your job, or to get to and from work
- are in paid work, or starting or going back to paid work within the next 12 weeks
- live and work (or are about to) in England, Scotland or Wales
You don’t need a diagnosis. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need an annual turnover of at least £6,500. Voluntary work isn’t covered, and civil servants get support from their employer instead.
What you’ll need for your application
- your contact details
- your workplace address and postcode
- how your condition affects your work, and what support you think you need
- a workplace contact who can confirm you work there, if you’re employed
- your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed
- your National Insurance number, if you have one
Your workplace contact won’t be contacted without your permission. Gov.uk is clear on that, so you stay in control of when your workplace gets involved.
How to describe how your condition affects your work
This is the part that matters most. The person reading it doesn’t know you or your job, so give them something concrete.
- Start with your tasks. List the main things your job involves.
- Name the barriers. For each task that’s harder because of your condition, say what happens. “I lose track of long email threads and miss deadlines” tells them far more than “I struggle with organisation”.
- Say what you’ve tried. Include what helped, even a little, and what didn’t.
- Suggest what would help. You don’t need product names. “Software that reads text aloud” or “someone to help me get to the office” is enough.
- Think about the whole working day. Getting to work, moving around the workplace and working from home all count.
Be honest about your harder days, not just your average ones. Support that only works on a good day isn’t much use.
How to apply
Online
The quickest way is the online application on gov.uk.
By phone
Call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Have your details ready before you call.
- Relay UK, if you can’t hear or speak on the phone: dial 18001 then 0800 121 7479
- British Sign Language video relay service, linked from gov.uk
If you need the form in braille, large print or on audio CD, call the helpline. And if phone calls are hard for you, you can ask for all communication to be by email.
What happens after you apply
Someone from Access to Work will get in touch to talk about your application. They might:
- ask for more information about your job and your condition
- ask for your permission to speak to your employer
- arrange for an assessor to call you or look at your workplace, by video or in person
After that, you’ll get a letter with the decision. It tells you how much the grant is and what it should pay for. Our guide to how much an Access to Work grant is explains the cap and when employers share the cost.
How long does it take?
Gov.uk doesn’t give a set timescale. In May 2026, DWP said around 60,000 people were waiting for a decision, and that 96% of urgent start-date cases were being decided within 28 days. If you’re about to start a new job, make your start date clear when you apply.
Claiming the money
Access to Work pays back the cost of your support. You can claim online, using a GOV.UK One Login, or by post using the paper form that comes with your decision letter. You’ll need:
- the dates you got the support
- invoices or receipts (copies are fine)
- bank details for whoever is being paid
There are time limits on claims, so don’t let receipts pile up.
If you disagree with the decision
You can’t appeal the amount you’re awarded, but you can call the helpline and ask for your application to be reconsidered. You’re entitled to one reconsideration, by a different case manager. If your circumstances change later, you can ask for a review.
Keeping your support going
- Report changes. Tell Access to Work if you change job, move workplace, change your name or contact details, or your condition changes.
- Renew in time. If your grant pays for ongoing support, such as a support worker, apply to renew before it ends. You can do this from 12 weeks before the end date in your letter.
- Check it’s working. If the support isn’t doing what it should, say so early.
Applying for mental health support
Mental health support from Access to Work has its own route. You apply directly to Able Futures or Maximus (one, not both), and you can only get this support once.
How Inkfire can help
Inkfire is a disabled-led team, and helping people prepare applications is part of our Access to Work support for individuals and employers. We can help you get your thoughts in order before you apply, and make sure the support you’re awarded works in practice.
The decision is always made by Access to Work, not by us. If you’d like a hand, get in touch. If you have ADHD, our guide to Access to Work for ADHD has more on what to ask for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for Access to Work before I start a job?
Yes. You can apply if you’re starting or going back to paid work within the next 12 weeks.
Can I apply without a diagnosis?
Yes. You don’t need a diagnosis to apply.
Will Access to Work contact my employer?
Not without your permission. If you’re employed, you’ll be asked for a workplace contact who can confirm you work there. Access to Work may also ask if it can talk to your employer about your support.
How do I apply if I can’t use the phone?
Apply online, or use Relay UK (18001 then 0800 121 7479) or the BSL video relay service. You can also ask for all communication to be by email.
Can I apply if I’m self-employed?
Yes, if your annual turnover is at least £6,500. Have your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) ready.
