Access to Work

Also called AtW, Access to Work grant

A government grant that pays for the communication support, equipment and interpreters a disabled person needs to do their job.

What it is

Access to Work is a discretionary grant from the Department for Work and Pensions that pays for support a disabled person needs at work beyond the reasonable adjustments their employer must make. It covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate scheme with the same name run by the Department for Communities.

For communication it can pay for BSL interpreters, lipspeakers, notetakers, a communication support worker, a communication device or software, and travel to work when public transport is not usable. The money is paid to the person or the employer, and it is not means-tested and not a benefit.

Who it can help

Anyone aged 16 or over with a disability or health condition that affects their work, who is in paid employment, self-employed, an apprentice, about to start a job, or on a work trial or work experience. Deaf people are the largest group of users because interpreter costs are high. People who use AAC, who stammer, who have aphasia or a learning disability can all apply.

It does not pay for things an employer should provide anyway as a reasonable adjustment, and larger employers are expected to contribute towards costs above a threshold. It is not for voluntary work, and an award has a cap per year.

How it works

You apply online or by phone, describe your condition and your job, and say what support you think you need. An adviser may call you, and may arrange a workplace assessment. A decision letter sets out what is approved, for how long and at what rate. Support such as interpreters is then booked and claimed against the award; equipment is bought and claimed. Awards are reviewed, often every three years.

Waiting times for decisions have been long in recent years, so apply as early as possible, and apply before you start a job if you already have the offer.

Getting started

Apply now if you have a job, a job offer or an interview date. Before you apply, list what you actually need in a working week: how many hours of interpreting, which meetings, what software, what device. Ask a therapist or a Deaf organisation to help you write it if you are unsure. Tell your employer you are applying; you do not need their permission but they will need to sign forms.

If you use a talking board, say so on the application and ask for whatever you need to make it usable at work: a mount, a tablet, a spare, or a quieter workstation. Keep every letter and every invoice.

Where to get help

Apply for Access to Work on gov.uk. RNID and the British Deaf Association both advise Deaf applicants. Disability Rights UK has a factsheet. Scope can help with the employer conversation. See also communication at work.