What: Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
· a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
· advice about managing your mental health at work
· money to pay for communication support at job interviews
Who: As part of Access to Work, you may be eligible for:
· a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
· advice about managing your mental health at work
For these types of support, you must:
· have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work
· be 16 or over
· be in paid work (or be about to start or return to paid work in the next 12 weeks)
· live and work (or be about to start or return to work) in England, Scotland or Wales - there’s a different system in Northern Ireland
There are different eligibility criteria for communication support at a job interview.
Your disability, illness or health condition
You must have a disability, illness or health condition that means you need support to do your job.
This can include, for example:
· a physical disability, for example if you’re hard of hearing or use a wheelchair
· a learning disability or related condition, for example if you have Down’s syndrome
· a developmental condition, like autism spectrum disorder
· learning difficulties or differences like ADHD or dyslexia
· an illness such as diabetes or epilepsy
· a temporary condition, like a broken leg
· a mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
Your work
You need to have a paid job (or be about to start or return to one).
A paid job can be full or part-time and can include:
· employment
· self-employment
· an apprenticeship
· a work trial or work experience
· an internship
· a work placement
You cannot get Access to Work support for voluntary work.
Get advice on your eligibility
If you’re not sure that you’re eligible, call the Access to Work helpline.
Access to Work helpline
Telephone: 0800 121 7479 Textphone: 0800 121 7579
** All information has been taken from the access to work webpage