How can I tell if I’m eligible for Access to Work?

To be eligible for Access to Work, you must:

•    Be 16 or over

•    Live and work in Great Britain (Northern Ireland has a separate scheme)

•    Be in paid employment or self-employment, or about to start work

•    Have a disability, illness, or health condition that affects your ability to work – this includes neurodivergent and mental health conditions

Your Case Manager will check your eligibility when they contact you.

You can find full details in the Access to Work Staff Guide.

Employment eligibility

You qualify if you’re in paid employment or self-employment in Great Britain, or about to start work.

You’re not eligible if you:

•    Are a Civil Servant (for example, working for the Department for Work and Pensions)

•    Are a volunteer

Your award is linked to your current job. If you leave, the award ends. If you move to a new role, you’ll need to apply again.

Paid employment means earning at least the minimum wage*. 

•    There is no minimum number of hours you must work

•    You can apply up to 12 weeks before starting a job

•    If the job offer falls through, your award will stop

Access to Work will confirm:

•    Your employer’s name and address

•    Your start date

•    Your role

•    Your working hours

They’ll do this by speaking to your employer using the details you provided in your application.

*You may still qualify if you are part of a nationally recognised scheme such as a Supported Internship, Traineeship, or Apprenticeship, even if you earn less than the minimum wage.

Self-employment eligibility

You’re classed as self-employed if you’re:

•    A sole trader (registered as self-employed with HMRC), or

•    a director of your own limited company

Access to Work will check that:

•    Your business is registered for tax, and

•    it is, or will be, financially viable

You’ll need your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) before applying.

A business is considered financially viable if it has a turnover of at least £6,500 a year.

•    If you’ve been trading for a while, you’ll need to show accounts proving this

•    If you’re new, you’ll need a business plan and a three-year financial forecast

Turnover is your total sales or income, not your profit.

Disability eligibility

You qualify if you have a disability, illness, or health condition that affects your ability to work. This includes:

•    Neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia

•    Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression

You don’t need a medical diagnosis. You do need to explain how your condition affects your ability to do your job.