Access to Work: staff guide
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff guide about the Access to Work scheme.
- From:
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Published
- 22 December 2014
- Last updated
-
167MayApril20242025 — See all updates
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Documents
Details
This document is for DWP staff and explains how the Access to Work scheme operates.
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if someone has a disability, health or mental health condition to help them:
- start working
- stay in work
- move into self-employment or start a business
Why we publish this guide
We publish this guide to help people understand how we make decisions.
More about Access to Work
Find out if you can get help from Access to Work.
Updates to this page
Published 22 December 2014
Last updated 167 MayApril 2024
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Update history
2025-04-07 00:01
The Lower Earnings Limit figures have been updated for the years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026.
2024-05-24 14:20
Updated ‘What is self-employment?’ (paragraph 7), ‘Ceiling cap’ (paragraph 1) and also ‘Communication support at interview’ (Overview paragraph).
2024-05-16 11:57
Added new Access to Work ceiling cap of £69,260 effective from 8 April 2024.
2024-02-27 09:55
Substantial updates made to the Access to Work: staff guide.
2023-06-19 09:48
Numerous updates to Access to Work staff including:Clarification of change to eligibility of civil servants and public servants, Change to Travel to Work and Travel in Work where customers provide the expected full cost of the journey by taxi, Process for Special aids and equipment clarified. Recalculated examples of Cost Share as customers can have a Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) rather than an NHS voucher. Changes to the process when reporting a change of circumstances, Review of claims in payment including proforma invoices, Support Worker instructions including evidence required and also updated Ceiling Caps.
2023-04-10 00:15
Updated with the latest benefit rates, effective from 10 April 2023.
2022-11-17 10:58
Updated Access to Work instructions in relation to the change to extend the initial trading period for newly self-employed customers.
2022-10-21 10:47
Updates made to eligibility, travel to work, travel in work and self-employment sections.
2022-05-06 10:52
Added the maximum annual award limit for 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 – this is £65,180.
2022-03-18 16:00
Updates about civil servant eligibility for Access to Work made in section 3.
Details
This document is for DWP staff and explains how the Access to Work scheme operates.
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if someone has a disability, health or mental health condition to help them:
- start working
- stay in work
- move into self-employment or start a business
Why we publish this guide
We publish this guide to help people understand how we make decisions.
More about Access to Work
Find out if you can get help from Access to Work.
Updates to this page
Sign up for emails or print this page
Update history
2025-04-07 00:01
The Lower Earnings Limit figures have been updated for the years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026.
2024-05-24 14:20
Updated ‘What is self-employment?’ (paragraph 7), ‘Ceiling cap’ (paragraph 1) and also ‘Communication support at interview’ (Overview paragraph).
2024-05-16 11:57
Added new Access to Work ceiling cap of £69,260 effective from 8 April 2024.
2024-02-27 09:55
Substantial updates made to the Access to Work: staff guide.
2023-06-19 09:48
Numerous updates to Access to Work staff including:Clarification of change to eligibility of civil servants and public servants, Change to Travel to Work and Travel in Work where customers provide the expected full cost of the journey by taxi, Process for Special aids and equipment clarified. Recalculated examples of Cost Share as customers can have a Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) rather than an NHS voucher. Changes to the process when reporting a change of circumstances, Review of claims in payment including proforma invoices, Support Worker instructions including evidence required and also updated Ceiling Caps.
2023-04-10 00:15
Updated with the latest benefit rates, effective from 10 April 2023.
2022-11-17 10:58
Updated Access to Work instructions in relation to the change to extend the initial trading period for newly self-employed customers.
2022-10-21 10:47
Updates made to eligibility, travel to work, travel in work and self-employment sections.
2022-05-06 10:52
Added the maximum annual award limit for 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 – this is £65,180.
2022-03-18 16:00
Updates about civil servant eligibility for Access to Work made in section 3.