How can I complete the Access to Work application form?

You can apply for Access to Work online or by calling their helpline on 0800 121 7479.

You don’t have to know exactly what support you need, but you do need to:

•    Describe your job and how you work

•    List any health conditions or disabilities

•    Explain how these affect you at work

Before you start online

•    You can’t save and return later – the form times out after 90 minutes

•    Save or print your answers before sending your application

The application has four sections:

1.    About you

2.    Employment

3.    Support from Access to Work

4.    Additional information

Tips for important questions

•    Use your job description to include all tasks you’ll need support with

•    When asked how support will help, be clear and specific

•    If applying for Brain in Hand, link your work difficulties (such as anxiety or overwhelm) to the support it offers

What will I need to provide in ‘About you’?

You’ll be asked for:

•    Your name

•    Your date of birth

•    Your home address

You’ll also be asked how you’d like to be contacted:

•    Your phone number

•    Your email address

•    The best times to contact you

If you use a representative, you’ll need their details too. Access to Work will always contact you first to confirm your identity, so make sure you also provide your own contact details. Your representative could be a friend, family member, colleague, support worker, or advocate – just make sure you have their permission before adding them.

If you find it difficult to hear or speak on the phone, you can request to be contacted by email as a reasonable adjustment.

You’ll also need to list your conditions or disabilities and explain how they affect you at work (up to 1,000 characters). These don’t have to be formally diagnosed. 

What will I need to provide in ‘Employment’?

The questions depend on whether you are employed, self-employed, or both. You can add more than one job if needed.

For employed roles, you’ll be asked for:

•    Your employer’s name and address

•    Your job title and description (500 characters)

•    Your start date

•    Your weekly hours and working days

•    Whether you work remotely or in a hybrid way

•    The name and contact details of someone (often a manager or HR) who can confirm your employment

For self-employed work or if you’re a company director, you’ll need:

•    Your job title and description (500 characters)

•    Your start date

•    Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)

•    Your weekly hours and working days

•    Your workplace address

Your job description is important – use it to include all tasks you’ll need support with. For example, if you request taxi travel, mention working at an office location; if you request note-taking support, mention attending meetings.

What will I need to provide in ‘Support from Access to Work’?

You’ll go through different types of support and decide which you want to apply for. If you’re unsure, you can select ‘I don’t know’, but where possible, choose a clear answer.

Specialist Equipment

Brain in Hand is classed as specialist equipment. You’ll be asked:

•    If you need equipment

•    If you know what you need

•    Which job you need it for

•    How it will help you at work (500 characters)

Be specific about how it will help you overcome difficulties. If you list multiple items, you may need to group them into categories to fit the limit.

Mental Health Support Service

This offers one-to-one mental health support for up to nine months. It’s not therapy, and you can’t choose your coach. Your employer won’t be told if you apply. You can also self-refer to Able Futures or Maximus to start sooner.

Support workers

Examples include BSL interpreters, drivers, carers, or job aides, but this is not a definitive list. You’ll be asked:

•    If you need a support worker

•    What type you need

•    How they’ll help you (This an important question to complete. 500 characters)

•    Whether you need them temporarily or permanently

•    How many weeks and hours per week you need them

If you need ADHD coaching or coping strategies coaching, you can request these under ‘temporary support worker’.

Travel to and from work

You’ll be asked how you travel now, what support you need, how it will help (500 characters), how many journeys per week, and if the journey is between your home and work.

Travel during work

You’ll be asked if you need help to travel to other locations during your working day.

Changes to your workplace

You’ll be asked if you’d benefit from physical changes at work.

Adaptations to a vehicle

You’ll be asked if you need adaptations to a vehicle you use for work travel.

What can I include in ‘Additional information’?

You can share anything else you think is important (up to 1,000 characters). This could include:

•    If you had help filling in the form

•    If you want a workplace needs assessment

•    If you want funding for other support, such as neurodiversity awareness training for colleagues

•    If you need reasonable adjustments to the application process

•    Whether your employer has made adjustments for you already

After you submit

•    Review and save your answers

•    Agree to the declaration and send your application

•    Keep your reference number – you’ll need it if you call the helpline

•    A case manager will then contact you. You can read more about what happens next in our Help Centre.