Access to Work 

What has changed?

What is Access to Work? 

An Access to Work grant can pay for advice and practical support for someone with a disability, health or mental health condition to help them start work, stay in employment, or move into self-employment and build a business. It can include workplace adaptations, assistive technology, transport, and interpreters.

Who is it for?

If you have a disability or health condition and need support to stay in or start work, you could be eligible. You could be entitled to support if you're:

- Over 16 and resident in Great Britain

- Disabled or have a health condition that affects your ability to work

- About to start a paid job, or have a job offer (including self-employment)

- About to start a work trial, internship, traineeship, or some work experience

- An apprentice with a mental health condition

Ross Hovey, Accessibility Manager at Lloyds Banking, told us what the Access to Work grant meant to him. 

Ross Hovey, Accessibility Manager
Lloyds Banking

Access to Work supports me in employing a full-time Support Worker enabling me to remain employed and independent. It removes the barrier my disability creates, putting me on a level playing field with my non-disabled friends, peers and colleagues. 

For disabled people, like Ross, an Access to Work grant allows every person the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. 

Ross found it allowed him to achieve his goals.   

After studying hard, Access to Work allows me to work hard to achieve my goals and aspirations to be part of an inclusive Great Britain contributing to society. Without the grant, I wouldn't achieve my full potential or be as happy as I am.

Why has it changed and what does it mean? 

In April 2018, the cap rose to £57,200, double average earnings, and will be uprated annually on that basis.

The number of disabled people in work has increased by around 600,000 in the last four years, and we're committed to increasing this number further. Increasing the cap will mean hundreds of disabled employees benefit from extra support that can help them progress in work.

Increasing the limit people can receive each year ensures more disabled people, particularly the deaf community, can benefit from the grant and achieve their career aspirations.

Watch Sarah Newton, Minister for Disabled People, comment on the announcement of the change and what the increase to the cap means. 

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work