What is Cost Share in Access to Work?

Not all support funded through Access to Work is paid for in full. You must check whether you or your employer are expected to contribute towards the cost.

Mandatory Cost Share

Larger employers (50 or more employees) must contribute towards:

•    Special Aids and Equipment (SAE) – this includes Brain in Hand, software, equipment, and subscriptions

•    Adaptations to Premises and Equipment (APE)

•    Miscellaneous support

Support workers, coaching, and training are always fully funded.

If you’re self-employed or work for an employer with fewer than 50 staff, all your support will be fully funded.

If you apply within the first six weeks of starting a job, mandatory cost share doesn’t apply. If you renew your award later, it will apply from that point.

Employer contribution amounts

Medium employers (50–249 employees):

•    First £500

•    20% of the next £10,000

•    Maximum contribution: £2,500

Large employers (250+ employees):

•    First £1,000

•    20% of the next £10,000

•    Maximum contribution: £3,000

Social and domestic contribution

Access to Work may ask you to pay part of the cost if an item will be used outside work.

Example: An iPad costs £1,000. If you work four days a week and take it home, the remaining three days are counted as personal use. You’d contribute three-sevenths of the cost – about £429.

If you can prove the item isn’t used outside work (for example, it stays in a dedicated office you don’t enter on days off), you shouldn’t be charged.

Other contributions

There are less common types of cost share. You can read full details in the Access to Work Staff Guide.