Access to Work Explained: The Complete Guide for Neurodivergent Workers

There's a government scheme that can fund thousands of pounds worth of workplace support for neurodivergent people, and most have never heard of it. Access to Work is one of the best-kept secrets in UK employment support. If you have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another condition that affects your ability to work, it could fund coaching, assistive technology, administrative support, and more. Here's the complete picture.

What Access to Work Is

Access to Work is a government-funded grant scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It provides practical and financial support to people with a disability or health condition that affects their ability to do their job. The grant covers support that goes beyond the reasonable adjustments your employer is legally required to provide.

The scheme covers developmental conditions including ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia, alongside physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic illness. It's available whether you're employed or self-employed, full-time or part-time.

Who's Eligible

According to GOV.UK eligibility criteria, you qualify if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work, you're in paid work (or about to start or return to paid work within the next 12 weeks), you're employed or self-employed, and you live and work in England, Scotland or Wales.

This includes full-time and part-time employment, apprenticeships, work trials, internships, and work placements. If you're self-employed, your annual turnover must be at least £6,500. There's no restriction based on how much you earn or the size of your employer.

ADHD UK confirms that a formal diagnosis is not strictly required to apply, though having one significantly strengthens your application. If you're awaiting assessment or have a referral in progress, you may still be able to begin the process.

How Much You Can Get

The Access to Work grant is capped at £69,260 per year (as of April 2024). That's the ceiling, not a typical award. The amount you receive depends on your assessed needs, your condition, and the type of support recommended. For neurodivergent workers, typical awards might fund 12 or more coaching sessions per year, assistive technology (software, noise-cancelling headphones, specialist equipment), a support worker for administrative tasks, workplace assessments, and travel support if needed.

Our Access to Work calculator can estimate what you might qualify for based on your specific situation.

What Support Can Be Funded

For neurodivergent workers specifically, Access to Work commonly funds the following.

ADHD coaching (sometimes listed as neurodivergence coaching or support strategy coaching) to help with time management, prioritisation, and organisational skills. Assistive technology such as text-to-speech software, task management tools, screen readers, or dictation software for dyslexia. Support workers who help with admin, scheduling, filing, and other tasks that create friction. Workplace assessments by specialist occupational therapists who evaluate your environment and recommend changes. Noise-cancelling headphones, sensory equipment, or workspace modifications for sensory sensitivities.

For detailed examples, see our article on what support Access to Work can fund.

How to Apply

1. 1

   Apply online or by phone. You can apply through GOV.UK or by calling the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479. If phone calls are difficult for you, you can request all communication by email.

2. 2

   Speak with a case manager. Someone from Access to Work will contact you to discuss your application, your condition, and how it affects your work. They'll ask about your role, your difficulties, and what support you think would help.

3. 3

   Have a workplace assessment (if needed). An assessor may call you, visit your workplace, or conduct a video assessment to evaluate what support would be most effective. If you already know what you need, this step may be skipped.

4. 4

   Receive your decision. You'll get a letter confirming your grant amount and what it covers. This typically arrives within a few weeks of the assessment.

5. 5

   Arrange your support and claim. Once approved, you organise the support (booking coaching sessions, purchasing equipment, hiring a support worker) and submit claims to Access to Work for reimbursement.

For a more detailed walkthrough, see our step-by-step application guide.

What Access to Work Won't Cover

Access to Work does not pay for reasonable adjustments, which are changes your employer is legally required to make under the Equality Act 2010. The boundary between 'reasonable adjustment' and 'Access to Work support' can be blurry, but in general, if a change is relatively low-cost and straightforward (flexible working hours, a quieter desk location, written rather than verbal instructions), that's your employer's responsibility. Access to Work covers support that goes beyond what an employer can reasonably be expected to provide.

Important Things to Know

Your employer does not need to know the details of your condition. The Access to Work assessor will discuss your needs with you and can communicate with your employer in general terms about the support being provided. See our article on employer confidentiality and Access to Work for more.

Grants are reviewed regularly (typically annually) and can be renewed. If your needs change, you can request a reassessment. And if you change jobs, you can transfer your Access to Work support to your new role.

Sources

GOV.UK: Access to Work · GOV.UK: Access to Work eligibility · GOV.UK: Access to Work customer factsheet · ADHD UK: Access to Work · National Autistic Society: Workplace support