Access to Work

Access to Work: a simple guide (ADHD & Autistic adults)

What it is (in one minute)

Access to Work is a government grant that pays for extra help you need to start, stay in, or return to paid work because of a disability or health condition, including ADHD and autism. It can fund things like specialist coaching/coping-strategies training, assistive tech, support workers, and travel to work. There’s an annual cap on awards (currently £69,260 for applications made from 8 April 2024 and uprated annually). AtW sits in addition to your employer’s legal duty to make reasonable adjustments. (GOV.UK)

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

  • are 16+ and in paid work (employee, apprentice, self-employed) or about to start within 12 weeks

  • live and work in England, Scotland or Wales (NI has a separate scheme)

  • have difficulties doing your job or travelling to work due to your condition (you do not need to be on disability benefits) (GOV.UK)

What support looks like for ADHD & autism

Commonly funded items for neurodivergent applicants include:

  • Coping-strategies training / specialist workplace coaching (executive-function, planning, prioritising, working memory, communication, sensory strategies)

  • Support worker / job coach hours for task-setup, note-taking, email admin, meeting prep/debrief

  • Assistive software & equipment (e.g., text-to-speech, planning tools, noise reduction)

  • Awareness sessions for your team/manager about ADHD/autism

  • Travel to work support if public transport isn’t suitable
    AtW funding is alongside (not instead of) your employer’s reasonable adjustments duty. (GOV.UK)

In DWP’s staff guidance, “Support Worker – (Coping strategies)” can be approved specifically to deliver strategy training for neurodivergent conditions. (GOV.UK)

How to apply (step-by-step)

  1. Gather basics
    National Insurance number, employer details (or self-employment), job title, start date (if new), and a short list of the work tasks you struggle with and what would help. (GOV.UK)

  2. Apply online (quickest) or by phone
    Apply via GOV.UK (online form) or call the AtW helpline (Mon–Fri 9–5): 0800 121 7479 (Textphone: 0800 121 7579, Relay UK available). (GOV.UK)

  3. Wait for your case manager
    They may arrange a workplace assessment (often remote) to recommend support. You’ll then get a decision letter stating what’s approved and how to claim. (GOV.UK)

  4. Choose providers & start support
    You can usually pick qualified providers for coaching/coping-strategies training. Keep invoices/receipts and follow the claim instructions. (GOV.UK)

Paying & cost-sharing (who pays what)

  • AtW can fund up to the annual cap (currently £69,260). (GOV.UK)

  • Support worker / coaching costs are typically covered by AtW (subject to approval and the cap).

  • Cost-sharing rules mainly apply to special aids/equipment once you’ve been in post 6+ weeks (employer contributes a portion depending on size). (Disability Rights UK)

Timelines, renewals & changes

  • Processing times vary; if you’re starting a job soon, tell AtW—those cases are prioritised.

  • You can usually renew before your award ends; contact the helpline to extend or report changes. (GOV.UK)

What to write in your application (copy-paste prompts)

Use clear task-impact-solution language.

Barriers (examples)

  • “I lose track of multi-step tasks due to working-memory issues, leading to missed details and delays.”

  • “I struggle to prioritise under time pressure; task switching causes overwhelm.”

  • “Sensory overload in open-plan areas reduces focus and increases errors.”

Requested support (examples)

  • “Coping-strategies coaching: 12 sessions across 6–12 months to develop repeatable systems for planning, prioritising, note-taking, meeting prep and follow-through.”

  • “Support-worker time for meeting notes and inbox triage during peak periods.”

  • “Assistive software: planner/time-blocking tool with reminders; text-to-speech for dense documents; noise management solutions.”

  • “Manager/peer awareness session on ADHD/autism to agree team-level adjustments.”

These requests map directly to items AtW recognises (support worker/coaching, software, awareness). (GOV.UK)

Evidence & communication tips

  • You don’t need a formal diagnosis to apply, though being able to explain access needs clearly helps. If you have reports (diagnostic/OT/coach), keep them handy. (Scope)

  • Frame needs around job tasks and outcomes (accuracy, timeliness, reliability).

  • If self-employed, be ready to show your business is genuine (e.g., LEL earnings threshold for paid work). (Scope)

After approval: using and claiming your grant

  • Your decision letter explains what’s approved, the amount, and how to claim (online or by post). Submit invoices/receipts as instructed. (GOV.UK)

  • If your needs change (role, hours, health), tell AtW—support can be adjusted. (GOV.UK)

Mental Health Support Service (separate but related)

If anxiety, depression or burnout are significant at work, you can also access work-focused mental-health support via providers (e.g., Able Futures or Maximus) through Access to Work—this is in addition to coaching/coping-strategy funding and does not use up your main grant cap. Apply directly to one provider via GOV.UK. (GOV.UK)

Quick checklist (print and tick)

  • I listed 3–6 task-based barriers (attention, working memory, prioritising, sensory).

  • I mapped each barrier to a practical support item (coaching, support worker, software, awareness). (GOV.UK)

  • I applied online or noted the helpline details. (GOV.UK)

  • I saved the decision letter and know how to claim. (GOV.UK)

  • I added a reminder to renew / report changes. (GOV.UK)

Helpful official links (start here)

  • What AtW is / eligibility / apply (GOV.UK). (GOV.UK)

  • Apply online (GOV.UK) and helpline numbers. (GOV.UK)

  • After you apply (what happens next). (GOV.UK)

  • Claiming from your grant (how to submit invoices). (GOV.UK)

  • Annual cap and updates to limits. (GOV.UK)

  • Staff Guide (policy detail, incl. coping-strategies support worker). (GOV.UK)

  • Scope overview (eligibility incl. self-employed LEL figures). (Scope)

If your employer asks about costs

Share the GOV.UK factsheet explaining that AtW funds support beyond legal reasonable adjustments, and outline when cost-sharing applies for equipment (varies by employer size). Coaching/support-worker funding is typically covered by AtW (subject to approval and cap). (GOV.UK)

If things stall

  • Chase your case manager (politely) if you’ve heard nothing after a few weeks—especially if you have a start date. (GOV.UK)

  • If a decision seems off, ask for it to be reviewed and point to the Staff Guide section on Support Worker – Coping strategies to show that ADHD/autistic strategy coaching is an established support type. (GOV.UK)

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