What is Access to Work?

For people with a physical or mental health condition or disability who want to get or stay in work.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Access to Work helps you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability. It can include:

a grant for equipment, support workers, travel to work or workplace changes
mental health support at work
communication support at job interviews

The grant doesn't affect other benefits and doesn't need paying back. It won't pay for reasonable adjustments your employer must legally make. The most you can get is £69,260 a year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027).

Different in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own Access to Work (NI) scheme, run by the Department for Communities.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Grant, not a loan
Up to £69,260 a year
Doesn't affect benefits

What Access to Work is

Access to Work is a grant from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It pays for extra support you need at work because of a physical or mental health condition or disability. It is not a loan. You do not pay it back, and it does not affect your other benefits.

Who it is for

You can apply if you:

are 16 or over
have a paid job, or are about to start or go back to one in the next 12 weeks

Paid work includes employment, self-employment, apprenticeships, work trials, internships and work placements. Voluntary work does not count. If you are self-employed, your business must have a turnover of at least £6,500 a year.

You can get it alongside most benefits if you work more than 1 hour a week. If you get Employment and Support Allowance, you must work less than 16 hours a week. Civil servants get support from their employer instead.

What it can pay for

Type of help	Examples
Equipment	Specialist equipment and assistive software
Support workers	A BSL interpreter, a job coach or a travel buddy
Travel	Costs of travelling to work if you cannot use public transport
Changes	Adapting your vehicle, or physical changes to your workplace
Mental health	A tailored plan and one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional
Interviews	Communication support at job interviews

It will not pay for "reasonable adjustments". These are changes your employer must make by law.

How much you can get

There is a yearly limit. From 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 the most you can get is £69,260 a year. The amount you get depends on what support you need. Your employer may have to pay part of the costs.

How to apply

Apply online on GOV.UK, or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 7479.
Give your contact details and your workplace address.
Explain how your condition affects your work and what support you think would help.
Give a contact at work (if employed), or your Unique Taxpayer Reference (if self-employed). Add your National Insurance number if you have it.

For mental health support only, you apply to one of two providers (Able Futures or Maximus), not both.

After you apply

Someone from Access to Work will contact you to talk about your needs.
They may ask for more details or arrange an assessment by phone, video or in person.
You get a letter saying how much the grant is and what it pays for.
You or your employer may pay some costs first and claim them back. You have 9 months to claim.
Access to Work contacts you 12 weeks before your support is due to end, so you can renew it.

If you disagree with the decision, call the helpline and ask for it to be looked at again.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own scheme, Access to Work (NI), run by the Department for Communities. Apply through a work coach at your Jobs and Benefits office. Support can last as long as it is needed, up to a maximum of 3 years. You can also email HealthandWorkSupportCo-ordination@communities-ni.gov.uk.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Apply for Access to Work

Common questions

Who can apply for Access to Work?

You must be 16 or over and in paid work, or about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks.

Can I get Access to Work if I'm self-employed?

Yes, self-employment counts as paid work, but your business must have an annual turnover of at least £6,500.

Can I get Access to Work while on benefits?

Yes, you can get it alongside most benefits if you work more than 1 hour a week. If you get ESA, you must work less than 16 hours a week.

How do I apply for Access to Work?

Apply online on GOV.UK or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Official sources

1.Access to Workwww.gov.uk/access-to-work
2.Access to Work factsheet for customerswww.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-factsheet/access-to-work-factsheet-for-customers
3.Access to Work (NI)www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/access-work-practical-help-work
4.Access to Work: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility
5.Access to Work: applywww.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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