An Access to Work grant helps pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition so you can:

• start working
• stay in work
• start your own business

How much you get depends on your circumstances.

The money doesn’t have to be paid back and will not affect your other benefits.

Access to Work is only available in England, Scotland and Wales.

There is no set amount for an Access to Work grant. How much you get depends on your circumstances.

The money can pay for things like:

• adaptations to the equipment you use
• special equipment
• fares to work if you can’t use public transport
• a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
• a support service if you have a mental health condition and you’re absent from work or finding it difficult to work
• disability awareness training for your colleagues
• a communicator at a job interview
• the cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job

Starting a new business

You can use the award to help start your own business in addition to support from the New Enterprise Allowance.

Access to Work grants are only available if the employer is based in England, Scotland or Wales.

You must be 16 or over and either:

• about to start a job or work trial
• in a paid job or self-employed (you can’t get a grant for voluntary work)

You might also qualify if you’re getting New Enterprise Allowance or starting work experience under a Youth Contract.

Your condition

Your disability or health condition must affect your ability to do a job or mean you have to pay work-related costs. For example, special computer equipment or travel costs because you can’t use public transport.

Your mental health condition must affect your ability to do a job. It must also mean you need support to:

• start a new job
• reduce absence from work
• stay in work

Exceptions

You might not qualify if you get any of these benefits:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Income Support
• National Insurance Credits

Changing jobs

You can transfer your grant to another employer if you change jobs.

Follow these steps if you think you can get help from Access to Work.

1. Contact your Access to Work centre.

2. Print the Access to Work eligibility letter and take it to your employer or to a job interview.

3. When an adviser contacts you and your employer, tell them about the help and support you need.

Find your Access to Work centre

Contact the centre that covers the area where you live. You may need:

• your National Insurance number
• your workplace address, including your postcode
• the name, email address and work phone number of a workplace contact (eg your manager)
• your unique tax reference number (if you’re self employed)
• the name of your New Enterprise Allowance mentor (if you have one)

London (for South East England and East England)

Access to Work - London
atwosu.london@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8426 3110
Textphone: 020 8426 3133
Fax: 020 8426 3134
Find out about call charges

Harrow Jobcentre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1JE

Cardiff (for South West England, Wales, West Midlands and East Midlands)

Access to Work - Cardiff
atwosu.cardiff@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0345 268 8489
Textphone: 0845 602 5850
Fax: 02920 423 342
Find out about call charges

Cardiff West Jobcentre
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1BD

Glasgow (for Scotland, North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Humberside)

Access to Work - Glasgow
atwosu.glasgow@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0141 950 5327
Textphone: 0845 602 5850
Fax: 0141 950 5265
Find out about call charges

Anniesland Jobcentre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1DB