The Access to Work Grant: Who Is Entitled and Why?

There is a lot to know when you are a disabled person. There is also a lot to know when you are an employer that employs disabled people. Making sure that you both have a good grasp of what is out there to help can make a big difference to both of you. In life and in work. 

There is often support out there that we don’t even know about. And that can be a real shame. Sometimes we are missing out on the exact thing that we could benefit from simply because we don’t know about it. Finding out about these things too late never feels good. 

This exact reason lies behind Careers with Disabilities and our content. Helping provide access to information is key in our mission to support disabled employees. When employees know what they are entitled to and employers know what they can provide, life at work gets better for everyone. When we are all on the same page, that is when we can begin to make a real difference. 

In this blog, we want to talk about the Access to Work grant. Access to Work is really important for both employees and employers. Not knowing enough about the grant, how it works, who is entitled, and how to get it would be a mistake for both sides. It has a lot to offer, in a few different ways. We want to help you get to know it inside out. That is how everyone will benefit the most from it.

Let’s start with some basic context first. 

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a government scheme that provides financial support for disabled people in employment. The scheme aims to help disabled people get work and stay in work. This directly addresses the employment gap in the UK between disabled and non-disabled people. Currently, only 54.2% of working-age disabled adults are employed. In comparison, 82% of working-age non-disabled adults are employed. 

The three main areas that are covered by Access to Work financial grants include:

• Practical support for working and employment
• Specific mental health disability support
• Communication support for job interviews and work trials 

The scheme can also help disabled people move into self-employment or start their own businesses via financial support. The money comes in the form of a grant rather than a loan, meaning it never needs to be paid back and doesn’t affect any of your other entitlements or benefits.

Access to Work is a really worthwhile service that can assist disabled people across the country. It helps to make working as a disabled person more achievable and sustainable, and that is a very important mission. 

Who Is Entitled to the Access to Work Grant? 

To be entitled to receive financial help from Access to Work you must:

• Be over 16
• Live and work in England, Scotland or Wales (more on NI support in the “some exceptions” section of this blog)
• Be disabled in that you have a condition or impairment that affects you on a long-term basis and influences your ability to work and attend recruitment processes
• Be in active employment or be about to start a contract (with confirmation from a company)
• Be self-employed

It is important to note that in all cases, you as the disabled employee must apply for the Access to Work grant. Your employer cannot apply for you.

To apply, visit this link. The application has different accessibility options if you need them too. 

What Kind of Support Can Access to Work Provide?

The Access to Work scheme provides financial support on an individually-reviewed basis. Many people ask, “How much is the Access to Work grant?” Well, that depends entirely on your situation and what kind of support you need to work. The maximum amount of support that can be awarded via grant is currently £66,000. 

This money comes in the form of reimbursement, either to you, your employer or to a direct provider. Sometimes you will need to pay for the support first and then claim it back, so make sure that you always keep your receipts and invoices for future reference. 

Some ways the money might be used include:

• Aid and equipment in the workplace for accessibility purposes
• Adaptation of the work environment to meet specific needs
• Travel costs for commuting, especially for taxis if you cannot take public transport or drive
• Communication support at interviews, including BSL interpreters and alternative formats
• Support workers
• Disability awareness training for your colleagues
• To cover the cost of moving equipment if you change location/office/job 
• Mental health support services

There is also additional support available aside from financial forms. Especially for mental health conditions, Access to Work can help you with support and guidance. They may assist you in developing a “support plan” that will highlight how you can best be supported at work. 

There is also direct support for employers. The government team can help employers come up with systems of best care for their employees with advice and guidance. 

Some Exceptions

Unfortunately, there are some exceptions to be aware of when it comes to claiming financial support through Access to Work. 

People who cannot make a claim include civil servants and those receiving the following benefits: 

• Incapacity benefits
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Income Support
• National Insurance credits

Access to Work is also not applicable to people living in The Channel Islands and The Isle of Man. Northern Ireland has a similar service but under a different authority, check out more information for NI. 

What to Do Next

If you want to read more about Access to Work and apply yourself, visit this government page on the topic. You can read a little more about other funding options for disabled employers, and grant/benefit options for disabled employees, too.

Access to Work has great potential for both employees and employers. We would highly recommend making sure you know how the scheme can help you specifically. Even receiving advice and support directly from the government team is highly worthwhile for everyone; you can never have too much support.

If you’re a disabled job seeker looking for a new job, check out our disability-friendly job board. You can find the right job that will support you with your specific needs. 

Alternatively, if you’re an inclusive employer, take a look at our range of services. We help connect your business with 10,000+ highly qualified disabled candidates, widening your talent pipeline and helping you build an inclusive workforce. 

Moreover, our free resource hub and blog provide guides and advice on becoming a recognised disability-friendly employer.

Start making a difference today, and promote your job roles on Careers with Disabilities.