Access to Work
If someone is disabled or has a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for them to do their job, they should:
- Talk to their employer about changes they must make in their workplace
- Get extra help from Access to Work, including mental health support
Access to Work is a grant not a benefit. The grant is made up of different elements depending on the support you need.
Employers must make certain changes (known as reasonable adjustments) to make sure nobody substantially disadvantaged when doing their job. Reasonable adjustments could include changing working hours or providing equipment to help them do their job.
Get help from Access to Work
If the help needed is not covered by the employer making reasonable adjustments, help may be available from Access to Work. They offer support based on needs, which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace. A workplace can include the home if working from there some or all of the time.
An Access to Work grant can pay for:
- Special equipment, adaptations or support worker services to help do things like answer the phone or go to meetings
- Help getting to and from work
The Department for Work and Pensions have created an easy read guide to Access to Work.
Grants may not be available for some people who already receive benefits and applicants will need to check eligibility. When a grant is provided, the money does not have to be paid back and will not affect other benefits.
Find out more, including how to apply for an Access to Work grant, on Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition on the Department for Work and Pensions website.