The Unofficial Guide to Access to Work for Employees

Get up to £69,260 a year in government grants to pay for ADHD coaching, equipment, and travel. Here is how to apply.

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support grant that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support for you if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.

Crucially: You do not have to pay it back.

Key Stats (2025/26)

Max Grant: £69,260 per year.
Cost to You: £0.
Your Employer knows?: Yes, they will likely be involved in purchasing the items, but the grant re-imburses them.

What can it pay for?

The grant is incredibly flexible. It is designed to pay for costs that are beyond “reasonable adjustments”.

If a change is simple (like a different mouse), your employer should just pay for it. If it is expensive or specialist, Access to Work steps in.

1. Specialist Equipment

Noise Cancelling Headphones: Top tier models (Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose) are standard approvals for ADHD/Autism.
Sit-Stand Desks: If you have back pain or restlessness.
Dictation Software: Dragon Professional (costs £500+) is commonly funded.
Remarkable 2 / iPads: For note-taking if you struggle with working memory.

2. Support Workers & Coaching

This is often the most valuable part.

ADHD Job Coaching: A professional coach to help you organize your week, prioritize tasks, and manage executive dysfunction.
Mental Health Support Service: Confidential support for anxiety/depression.
BSL Interpreters: For deaf employees.

3. Travel to Work

If you cannot use public transport due to your condition (e.g., severe anxiety, mobility issues), Access to Work can pay the difference between your normal bus/train fare and the cost of a taxi.

Am I eligible?

You’re eligible if:

You have a disability or health condition (physical or mental) that makes it hard for you to do parts of your job or get to and from work.
You are 16 or over.
You live in England, Scotland or Wales (Northern Ireland has a different scheme).
You have a paid job, or are about to start or return to one.

You do NOT need to be diagnosed. You just need to show that your condition impacts your work.

How to Apply

Apply Online: Go to gov.uk/access-to-work. It takes about 15 minutes.
Wait: The current waiting list can be 12+ weeks. Do not delay.
Assessment: An assessor will contact you. They are usually helpful. They will ask “What do you struggle with?” and “What would help?”.
Report: They send a report to you and your employer listing the funded items.
Purchase: Your employer buys the items.
Claim: Your employer sends the receipt to DWP and gets the money back (usually within 10 days).

Top Tips for Approval

Focus on the Barrier: Don’t just say “I want an iPad”. Say “My working memory deficit means I lose paper notes, causing security risks. A digital tablet with cloud sync would remove this risk.”

Bring your own quotes: If you want a specific coach or chair, find three quotes for it before your assessment. It makes the assessor’s job easier and you’re more likely to get exactly what you want.