Access to Work:
Supporting Employment for People with Disabilities
We offer tailored workplace assessments to meet individual employee needs and company-wide goals. From DDA compliance to well-being and inclusion strategies, we’ve got you covered.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a government program in the United Kingdom designed to help people with disabilities or health conditions overcome workplace barriers. It provides practical and financial support to ensure individuals can access, maintain, and thrive in their employment.
Whether you’re starting a new job, self-employed, or facing new challenges in your current role, Access to Work offers tailored assistance to suit your needs.
Who Can apply?
You may be eligible for Access to Work if:
- You have a physical, sensory, or mental health condition that impacts your ability to work.
- You are 16 years or older and live in England, Scotland, or Wales (separate programs are available in Northern Ireland).
- You are employed, self-employed, or have a confirmed job offer.
Access to Work support can also be available for apprenticeships, internships, and work trials.
What Support is Available?
Access to Work provides a range of services, including but not limited to:
- Specialist Equipment: Tools or devices to help you perform your job effectively.
- Travel Support: Assistance with travel to and from work if public transport isn’t an option due to your condition.
- Workplace Adjustments: Funding for modifications to your workspace or environment.
- Mental Health Support: Tailored help to manage mental health conditions, including confidential counseling.
- Work coaching: You can get work coaching for autism, or ADHD or other communications and learning disabilities
- Communication Support: Interpreters for British Sign Language (BSL) or other communication aids.
The support offered is personalised, ensuring it addresses the specific barriers you face in your work environment.
How to Apply for Access to Work
Access to Work support can also be available for apprenticeships, internships, and work trials.
- Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet the basic criteria for the scheme.
- Prepare Information: Be ready to share details about your job, your condition, and the challenges you face.
- Submit Your Application: Applications can be made online or by phone via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can also apply through your employer.
- Assessment: After applying, you may undergo an assessment to determine what support would benefit you the most.
- Receive Support: Once approved, arrangements are made to provide the agreed support.
Access to Work support can also be available for apprenticeships, internships, and work trials.
Employment Status:
- Be in paid employment (including self-employment, apprenticeships, or internships).
- Be about to start a job, including work trials or supported internships.
- Health Condition or Disability: You must have a disability or long-term health condition that significantly affects your ability to perform your job or means you incur additional work-related costs. This includes physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodiverse conditions.
- Impact on Work: The condition must either: Make work tasks challenging / Require adjustments or support for travel, workplace adaptations, or equipment.
- Exceptions and Restrictions: The scheme does not cover voluntary roles, and individuals receiving certain benefits like Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Incapacity Benefit may face restrictions. However, those under supported permitted work programs could still qualify, provided they meet specific earnings and work-hour limits.
- Application Timing: You can apply up to six weeks before starting a job, or anytime if you’re already employed, though the process may take longer if you’ve been in your role for more than six weeks
Access to Work support can also be available for apprenticeships, internships, and work trials.
Why Use Access to Work?
- Empower yourself to work confidently and independently.
- Access funding and resources to create an inclusive work environment.
- Reduce workplace stress and improve productivity with tailored solutions.
Need Help?
For more information about Access to Work, or to apply, visit the official Access to Work webpage or contact the DWP directly:
We offer paid help to apply, which helps improve the outcomes of your Access to Work claim, and increases your likelihood of being awarded. Book in a supported independent assessment today.
Our Mission & Vision
NeuroAdvantage offers therapy and coaching services tailored for employers and individuals with neurobiological or physical differences, including conditions like ADHD, autism, long Covid, and various mental health challenges. We recognize that many individuals with these diagnoses may also experience other conditions, such as ME/CFS or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. While we provide support for physical disabilities, we primarily focus on referrals to specialists for these areas.
Our services include group and individual coaching aimed at helping people manage long-term health challenges. Our key focuses are:
Assessing individual needs
Assisting with health management at work
Supporting employers in making reasonable accommodations
Reducing anxiety and work-related stress
Guiding individuals toward self-employment, career changes, or a phased return to work
Helping those furthest from the workplace reintegrate into employment
Client Testimonials
“Anna is an effective and clear-sighted enabler whose knowledge and enthusiasm are infectious. She consistently delivers beyond expectations.”
Eileen Elchaar
Student Services Manager
“Anna is a strategic manager with an intelligent focus and a keen eye for detail. She has recently been mentoring several small voluntary organisations in Oxfordshire, supporting them with business plans and funding strategies as part of their workforce development. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with praise for her commitment and passion for the voluntary youth sector.”
Catherine M Lacey
CEO of OCVYS
“I’ve worked with Anna on several projects, and she consistently achieves incredible results with modest resources. Anna effortlessly navigates between frontline work and strategic thinking, making her a valued partner both locally and sub-regionally. Her vision and collaborative spirit make her a pleasure to work with.”
Gethyn Williams
National Director for Children’s Workforce Development, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services
“Anna is a very driven and focused individual with a keen eye on the bigger picture. She is energetic, committed, and a strong supporter of young people—a definite asset to the sector.”
Tracy Kean
Volunteering England
