Access to Work is a UK government grant scheme administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that provides practical and financial support to disabled people or those with a long-term health condition who are in work, starting work, or doing an apprenticeship or work trial. It is designed to help people overcome disability-related barriers that standard reasonable adjustments made by an employer cannot fully address.
What Access to Work can fund
The scheme can contribute to the cost of:
- Specialist equipment or adaptations to equipment (for example, ergonomic furniture, voice recognition software, or screen magnification tools)
- A support worker or job coach to provide practical help at work
- Travel costs if a person cannot use standard public transport because of their condition
- Mental health support through the Mental Health Support Service (for people with mental health conditions affecting their work)
- Video relay interpreting for British Sign Language users
Who can apply
Anyone who is employed (including self-employed), has a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition that affects their ability to do their job, and is aged 16 or over. There is no means test. Applicants do not need to be receiving any other disability benefit.
Why it matters for cardiac arrest survivors
Survivors returning to work may face challenges including cognitive difficulties, fatigue, anxiety, or physical limitations that standard employer adjustments alone cannot fully accommodate. Access to Work can fund a job coach, software to support memory and organisation, or alternative travel arrangements. It can make the difference between being able to return to work at all or not.
How to apply
Applications are made online through the gov.uk website. The process involves an assessment of needs by an Access to Work advisor. Applications should ideally be made before starting work, though they can be made after starting.
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