Access to Work

Who can apply

A summary of the main rules, not the full list. Department for Work & Pensions decides who is eligible, so read their guidance before you apply. The free scan checks these against your own business.

• Based in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland has its own system)
• Employing someone with a disability or health condition

How to apply, in brief

Your employee applies themselves on GOV.UK (online, or phone 0800 121 7479) — an employer cannot apply on a worker's behalf, though you may be asked to pay some costs up front and claim them back.

1. 1Check the employee is eligible
2. 2The employee applies — online or by phone
3. 3Have the application details ready
4. 4Adviser contact and possible workplace assessment
5. 5Decision letter sets out the grant
6. 6Buy the support and claim the money

How long a decision takes: Honest answer: slow. ~60,000 applications were waiting in May 2026 with average processing ~109 days — but people starting a job within 4 weeks are prioritised, with 96% of urgent cases cleared within 28 days

The full guide, with what to do at each step, the official link for it and a draft to work from, is part of the £19.95 report.

Common questions

Is Access to Work open for applications?

Yes. It is open for applications, with no fixed deadline.

How much is Access to Work worth?

Up to £69,260. It is a grant, and the funder decides what each applicant receives.

Who runs Access to Work, and where is it available?

Department for Work & Pensions runs it. It is available in England, Scotland and Wales.

How do I apply for Access to Work?

Your employee applies themselves on GOV.UK (online, or phone 0800 121 7479) — an employer cannot apply on a worker's behalf, though you may be asked to pay some costs up front and claim them back.