Access to Work Scheme

Government grants in England, Scotland and Wales to help pay for practical support at work, including assistive technology training.

Already have an Access to Work assessment?

Send us the recommended software packages and training hours from your report and we'll prepare a clear written training quote, usually within two working days.

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What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a publicly funded grant scheme in England, Scotland and Wales that helps pay for practical support if you have a disability, neurodivergent condition, or physical or mental health condition that affects your work. For the 2026–27 financial year (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027), the maximum grant ceiling is £69,260 per year; individual awards depend on your assessment and needs. Check GOV.UK's official Access to Work guide for current scheme rules.

Access to Work does not replace an employer's legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments. Instead, it helps fund specialist software, equipment, training and support that go beyond standard reasonable adjustments.

What can be funded?

Assistive technology software

Screen readers, magnification, speech recognition, and reading, writing and mind-mapping software for dyslexia and ADHD

Assistive technology training

One-to-one training to help you configure and use your recommended software in your actual job

Specialist equipment

Braille displays, reading devices, microphones, specialist keyboards, monitors and ergonomic hardware

Support workers

Communication support at interviews, job coaching or workplace support workers

Travel to work

Help towards additional travel costs if your condition means you cannot use public transport

Mental health support

Non-clinical workplace mental health support and coping strategies through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible to apply if you:

  • Have a disability, neurodivergent condition, or physical or mental health condition that affects your work
  • Are aged 16 or over
  • Are in paid employment, self-employed (subject to self-employment rules), or about to start or return to a job
  • Live and work in England, Scotland or Wales

You do not need a formal medical diagnosis to apply. Civil servants employed directly by central government departments normally receive workplace adjustments through their employer rather than Access to Work. If you live in Northern Ireland, a separate Access to Work (NI) scheme is available via nidirect.

Using your Access to Work grant with AAT Solutions

Access to Work can fund professional training on the assistive technology recommended in your Workplace Needs Assessment. When your assessor or case manager asks for quotes, you can ask whether AAT Solutions can provide your training, subject to Access to Work approval.

AAT Solutions delivers one-to-one training across the packages commonly recommended in assessments — dyslexia and ADHD tools such as Read&Write, ClaroRead, MindView, Global AutoCorrect, Caption.Ed and Genio; Dragon dictation; and screen readers and magnifiers such as JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion and SuperNova. Founded by Aj Ahmed, who is blind, uses a screen reader every working day and holds formal 2024 certifications in JAWS, ZoomText and SuperNova, we combine technical knowledge with practical lived experience.

Each software package has its own dedicated sessions, delivered remotely across the UK or on site by arrangement. We supply clear written quotes, usually within two working days, and include two weeks of follow-up support with every training package.

  • Free phone consultation to talk through your assessment recommendations
  • Written quotes setting out the software packages, hours and costs clearly
  • Flexible remote or on-site scheduling around your working week
Request your Access to Work quote

How to apply

1Apply on GOV.UK or by phone

Apply online at gov.uk/access-to-work/apply or call the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 7479), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. A British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service is also available; GOV.UK's apply page explains how to use it.

2Discuss your workplace needs

An Access to Work adviser or workplace assessor will talk through the tasks in your job and what software, equipment or training would help.

3Provide quotes where requested

If you are asked to provide quotes for assistive technology training, AAT Solutions can prepare a written quote — request an Access to Work training quote.

4Book and claim your approved support

Once your grant is approved, you receive an award letter setting out what has been agreed and how costs are claimed — often paid upfront by your employer or you and reimbursed by Access to Work, or invoiced in line with your award instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waiting times vary. The National Audit Office reported in February 2026 that applications took an average of 66 working days to process in 2024–25, rising to 109 working days by November 2025. Apply as early as you can, and check GOV.UK for current processing guidance.

Access to Work may cover up to 100% of approved costs for some applicants — including self-employed people and people who have been in a job for less than 6 weeks when they apply. Where an employee has been in their role for 6 weeks or more, the employer may be asked to share costs for certain equipment or adaptations above a threshold based on employer size. Training, support workers and travel to work are not normally subject to employer cost sharing.

Yes. Self-employed applicants can apply for up to the annual grant ceiling (£69,260 in 2026–27), provided they meet Access to Work's self-employment criteria — including having a viable business, a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and meeting the minimum turnover rules after an initial start-up period. Check GOV.UK for the current self-employment rules.

You can contact Access to Work to request a review or variation if your role, working pattern or condition changes.

An Access to Work grant does not affect your other benefits, and you do not have to pay it back. However, whether you are doing paid work and how much you earn can affect means-tested or work-related benefits.

Need a training quote for your application or assessment? We prepare written quotes usually within two working days.

Request your Access to Work quote

Preparing your application

Before you apply:

  • Have your employment details ready (start date, employer name, job role and workplace contact)
  • List the specific daily tasks that are harder or slower because of your condition
  • Note any assistive software or devices you already use or want to explore
  • If you are starting a new job, apply as soon as you have a confirmed start date

During your assessment:

  • Describe how your condition affects you on a busy or tiring working day
  • Explain the specific documents, systems and meetings your job involves
  • Ask the assessor to include dedicated training hours alongside any new software packages
  • Ask how quotes should be submitted if you have a preferred training provider

When requesting training quotes:

  • Share the exact software names and number of sessions or hours recommended
  • Check that each software package is allocated its own dedicated training time
  • Confirm whether follow-up support is included after the sessions finish
  • Check whether remote or on-site delivery suits your working pattern best
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