Little-known grant worth up to £66k to help those with disabilities work – and big change that will get you help faster

A LITTLE-known grant worth up to £66,000 is available to help those with disabilities stay in work.

To make things even easier, thousands of households can now apply for cash online instead of through a lengthy paper-based application.

Grants are available through the government's Access to Work scheme, which is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The money can help pay for specialist equipment, such as a screen reader, video remote interpreting, or support worker services, to enable someone with a disability to work from home.

It can also be used towards transportation costs if the individual cannot use public transport.

The money can also be used to pay for things like:

• 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
• Adaptations to the equipment you use
• Specialist equipment
• Disability awareness training for your colleagues
• A communicator at a job interview
• The cost of moving your equipment if you change location or job

You do not need to get disability benefits to apply for Access to Work.

And any benefits you already get are unlikely to affect your application.

What is the Access to Work scheme?

The Access to Work scheme is designed to help workers aged 16 and above in England, Scotland, and Wales who are disabled or have a physical or mental health condition stay employed. 

It's an unlimited fund that pays out up to £66,000 per person annually.

As this is a grant, it means you don't have to pay the money back.

Grants are tailored to your needs, and you'll be assigned an Access to Work adviser who will work with you and your employer to assess what equipment or help is best.  

You or your employer will buy the required items or services, and Access to Work will reimburse you up to the amount of the grant you've been offered.

Who qualifies for the scheme?

Access to Work grants are available if you're over 16 and your employer is based in England, Scotland or Wales.

There’s a different system in Northern Ireland.

You must be about to start a job or work trial, or already in a paid job or self-employed.

You can apply for Access to Work up to 6 weeks before you start work if you have a job offer.

While there's no maximum earnings cap, you might not get a grant if you already receive certain benefits if you're out of work.

However, those on Universal Credit, jobseeker's allowance, and income support can still get help from Access to Work if they work more than one hour a week.

How do I apply for an Access to Work grant?

The Access to Work scheme pays grants of up to £60,000 a year per person to help disabled workers stay in their jobs.

Check you're eligible before you apply.

You can apply for Access to Work online or by phone.

You'll need the following details to hand:

• Your contact details
• Your workplace address and postcode
• Information about how your condition affects your work and what support you think you need
• Details of a workplace contact who can confirm you work there, if you're employed (they will not be contacted without your permission)
• Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number, if you’re self-employed

If you need the form in other formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD, call the Access to Work helpline.

You can apply online by visiting //www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.

You can also apply by calling the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.

How long does it take to receive a grant?

Your application will be a priority if you are due to start work in the next four weeks.

You should call the Access to Work helpline if you do not hear about your application within one week of applying.

If you are already working, it can take up to 12 weeks to get an assessment.