How Access to Work grants can support your business

Did you know that Access to Work supports self-employed people?

The Access to Work scheme is a long standing UK Government support scheme that provides grants to help people who have a disability or health condition access work.

This doesn't just apply to people who are employees but also to those who are self employed. No formal diagnosis of a condition is required.

We're grateful to Nathan Whitbread, the Neurodivergent Coach, for this explanation of the main requirements of applying for grants.

We cover:
1. What is it?
2. Who is is for?
3. What's on offer?
4. How to get most value from the support

What is it?

Support in the form of a grant can help pay for practical support with your work, support with managing your mental health at work, and to pay for communication support.
This could include specialist equipment and assistive software, support workers like a BSL interpreter, a job coach or a travel buddy, a PA/VA and things like help with bookkeeping.
It can also include help with the costs of travelling to work if you cannot use public transport, adaptations to a vehicle and physical changes to your workplace.
Your workplace can include your home if you work from there some or all of the time.

It does not matter how much you earn. If you get an Access to Work grant, it will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.

Who is it for?

You must be 16 and over and have a physical or mental health condition or disability that means you need support to do your job or get to and from work. A formal medical diagnosis is not required.
If you are self-employed you need to supply your Unique Tax Reference.
Only applies to England, Scotland or Wales

What's on offer?

Grants can be used for coaching, workplace education, specialist equipment, assistive technology, Support Workers* - including PAs/VAs/Bookkeepers etc., vehicle and workplace adaptations.
*Support Workers have a different assessment route.

How to get most value

Be very clear and specific about the problem you need to solve.
Always overestimate how much time everything takes.
Ask for the support you need regardless of what might already be in place if that isn't suitable.
Test tech, equipment and solutions up front before you buy them.
Ask people who have similar problems for recommendations.

Further notes

- On engaging a coach: You may be offered a list of preferred suppliers but you should always try and find someone who suits you as there are so many different kinds of coach and it is a very personal relationship.
- On assistive technology: Try to choose solutions that are tech agnostic so they are interoperable among various systems. Simple and user friendly beats complexity, don't try to find a problem to fit a solution - it should always be the other way round.
- On PAs/VAs (referred to as Support Workers): Understand your specific needs, give yourself wriggle room to change if needed. Make sure the relationship works. The grant can be split between multiple providers so you get the right combination of skills. You will need to provide 3 quotes so make sure the person you really want to work with is the cheapest.

If your application is rejected you have a right to appeal.

Renewing the Grant

The grants operate in a three year cycle and you need to apply to renew it 12 weeks before it expires.
If you have a substantial change in circumstances you can also re-apply.
Approximate waiting time for a decision is currently (as at Oct 2024) 25 weeks.

Nathan has a free e-book with more details and is happy to have a conversation and answer any questions.

You can find him on LinkedIn and get regular posts and information about living and working with neurodiversity by subscribing to his newsletter.

There are some great blog posts and articles on his website The Neurodivergent Coach