Carers & Disability Benefits: UK Guide Access to Work Grant Guide UK 2026 — Support for Disabled Workers Complete guide to the Access to Work grant including what's covered, how much you can get, eligibility, and how to apply for workplace support.
By James Whitfield
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15 April 2026
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Last reviewed: 15 September 2026
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7 min read Access to Work is a government grant that helps pay for practical support if you have a disability or health condition that affects your work. It can fund specialist equipment, support workers, travel assistance, and more.
For the wider cluster covering carers’ support, disability benefits and work-capability routes, use the main Carers & Disability Benefits hub .
Access to Work at a Glance Feature Details Maximum grant £69,260 per year (2026/27) Who can apply Employees, self-employed, about to start work What’s funded Equipment, support workers, travel, communication Cost to you Usually nothing directly Means-tested No Taxable No
What Can Access to Work Pay For? Specialist Equipment Equipment Type Examples Ergonomic equipment Specialist chairs, adjustable desks, ergonomic keyboards/mice Visual impairment Screen magnification software, braille displays, large monitors Hearing impairment Amplified phones, text-to-speech software Cognitive support Mind-mapping software, voice recorders, specialist apps Physical support Wheelchair adaptations for work, lifting equipment Mental health Noise-cancelling headphones, specialist lighting
Communication Support Support Type Who It’s For British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters Deaf BSL users Lip-speakers Deaf or hard of hearing Note-takers Deaf people in meetings/training Speech-to-text reporters Real-time captioning Communication support workers Various communication needs
Support Workers Support Examples Job coach Help learning tasks, building routines Support worker Practical assistance during the workday Mental health support Regular coaching, coping strategies Personal reader Help with reading for visually impaired people Travel assistant Support getting to/from work
Travel Costs Travel Support What’s Covered Travel to work If you can’t use public transport due to disability Taxi fares Full or partial funding for work travel Adaptations to vehicle If you need modifications to drive to work Travel during work Meetings, training, travel between sites
Mental Health Support Support Details Workplace assessments Specialist assessment of needs Counselling/coaching Regular sessions with mental health professionals Coping strategies training Building resilience and management techniques Reasonable adjustments advice Help identifying what changes would help
How Much Can You Get? Maximum Award Year Maximum Annual Grant 2024/25 £69,260 2025/26 £69,260 2026/27 £69,260
Important: Most awards are much smaller than the maximum. The amount you receive depends on your specific support needs.
No Fixed Amount Type of Support Typical Funding Specialist chair £300–£1,500 Screen reader software £500–£1,500 BSL interpreter (per day) £200–£400 Support worker (part-time) £10,000–£25,000/year Mental health coaching £2,000–£8,000/year Taxi to work £3,000–£15,000/year
Cost Sharing (For Employees Only) Who Pays What They Cover Access to Work Most specialist support, disability-specific costs Employer Reasonable adjustments they would provide anyway You Nothing directly
Note: Employer contributions only apply to certain equipment that might benefit any employee. There’s no cost-sharing for:
Self-employed people Support workers Communication support Travel costs Mental health support Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirement Details Age 16 or over Location Living and working in England, Scotland, or Wales Employment status Employed, self-employed, or about to start work Disability/condition Physical, sensory, mental health, or learning disability that affects your work Right to work Legal right to work in the UK
Employment Situations Situation Eligible? Employee (full-time) Yes Employee (part-time) Yes Zero-hours contract Yes Self-employed Yes Starting a new job Yes (apply before you start) Work trial or interview Yes Apprentice Yes Supported internship Yes Work experience Case by case
Conditions That Qualify Condition Type Examples Physical disability Mobility impairments, chronic pain, dexterity issues Sensory impairment Blindness, low vision, deafness, hearing loss Learning disability Dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia Mental health Anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, OCD Neurodivergence Autism, ADHD Long-term health conditions MS, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, epilepsy Progressive conditions Motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s
How to Apply Application Process Step What Happens 1 Apply online at GOV.UK or call 0800 121 7479 2 Provide details about your condition and work 3 Access to Work adviser contacts you 4 Workplace assessment arranged (if needed) 5 Assessment report with recommendations 6 Access to Work reviews and makes decision 7 Award letter with what’s funded 8 Claim back costs or get direct funding
Information Details Your details Name, National Insurance number, contact details Employer details Name, address, contact (if employed) Your condition Description of disability/health condition Work impact How your condition affects your work Support needed What you think would help Starting date When you started or will start work
Application Tips Tip Why It Matters Be specific about difficulties Helps assessor understand your needs Describe tasks you struggle with Links condition to workplace impact Mention what you’ve tried Shows you’ve considered solutions Include any medical evidence Supports your application Ask your employer for support They can provide workplace information
The Workplace Assessment What to Expect Aspect Details Who does it Specialist assessor (occupational health, disability specialist) Where Your workplace, home, or virtual Duration 1–2 hours typically Focus Understanding your needs and work environment Output Written report with recommendations
Questions You Might Be Asked Topic Example Questions Your condition How does it affect you day-to-day? Work tasks What do you struggle with most? Current adjustments What help do you have now? What would help What do you think you need? Work environment Office, home, travel requirements
Getting Paid How Funding Works Payment Method How It Works Direct payment Access to Work pays supplier directly Reimbursement You pay first, then claim back Regular payments For ongoing costs like travel or support workers
Claiming Costs Step Action 1 Keep receipts/invoices for everything 2 Submit claims monthly or as costs occur 3 Claim online or by post 4 Payment within a few weeks
Common Situations Starting a New Job Timing What Happens Apply before you start Support can be in place from day one Apply after starting May take time for support to arrive Probation period Access to Work can help ensure you succeed
Self-Employed Feature Self-Employed Access to Work Cost-sharing None — no employer contribution What’s covered Equipment, travel, support workers Where you work Home office, client sites, co-working spaces Business type Any — sole trader, freelance, contractor
Working from Home Support Available for Home Working? Specialist equipment Yes — desks, chairs, screens, software Support workers Yes — can assist remotely or in person Mental health support Yes — video sessions common Travel costs May cover travel to occasional office days
Mental Health Support Available Details Workplace assessment Specific mental health assessors available Coping strategies Regular coaching sessions Workplace adjustments advice Help negotiating with employer Support worker Help managing workload, meetings Equipment Noise-cancelling headphones, specialist lighting
Access to Work and Other Support Benefits Benefit Interaction with Access to Work PIP Completely separate — can receive both ESA Separate — Access to Work for when you’re working Universal Credit Separate — Access to Work doesn’t affect UC DLA Separate — can receive both
Reasonable Adjustments Aspect Reasonable Adjustments Access to Work Legal requirement Yes — Equality Act 2010 No — voluntary grant Who provides Employer Government What’s covered Changes employer should make anyway Specialist disability support Cost Employer pays Government pays (mostly)
Note: Employers must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act. Access to Work goes beyond this for disability-specific support.
Appeal and Complaints If Your Application Is Refused Step Action 1 Ask for written reasons for the decision 2 Request a review if you disagree 3 Provide additional evidence if available 4 Contact a disability organisation for support
Helpful Organisations Organisation How They Help Disability Rights UK Advice on Access to Work Citizens Advice General benefits and rights advice RNIB Visual impairment support RNID (Action on Hearing Loss) Hearing impairment support Mind Mental health workplace advice
Frequently Asked Questions How Long Does an Award Last? Most awards last 3 years, with annual reviews. Some equipment is funded as a one-off purchase. Support workers and travel costs are reviewed annually.
Can I Take Equipment to a New Job? Usually yes, if the equipment is still suitable. You may need to reapply if your needs change or you need additional support.
Does My Employer Know I’ve Applied? Situation Employer Knowledge You share your application Yes — and they may need to contribute You don’t share it They’ll know if support is provided at workplace Self-employed Not applicable
What If My Employer Won’t Cooperate? Your employer cannot refuse Access to Work support. If they’re uncooperative:
They may be breaching the Equality Act Contact ACAS for employment advice Consider formal grievance procedures Summary Feature Details Maximum annual grant £69,260 (2026/27) Who can apply Employees, self-employed, job starters What’s covered Equipment, support workers, travel, communication Cost to you Nothing directly How long Awards typically last 3 years Application Online at GOV.UK or call 0800 121 7479
Next step: Apply online at gov.uk/access-to-work or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479 .