Access to work

If you are Neurodivergent you may be eligible to receive an Access to Work grant.

Access to work

Worried about paying for virtual assistant services? You may be eligible to receive an Access to Work grant. This can help you to access the specialist support you need, without going over budget.

What is Access to Work?

Access to Work is a Government scheme designed to make it easier for anyone, regardless of their different needs, to work comfortably and confidently. There are many different types of support offered through the Access to Work initiative. These include help with the costs of transport and vehicle adaptations to enhance mobility. Access to Work can also provide funding for support workers. 

A support worker is a skilled individual who provides help to business owners and employees. The support worker’s role is to enable people to carry out their duties with greater ease and efficiency. If a grant is awarded, you may be able to use your Access to Work funding to pay for support from us.

Am I eligible?

The Access to Work scheme is open to workers aged 16 and over. Eligible people will have a physical condition, learning disability, or mental health condition that creates additional challenges in the workplace. 

For neurodivergent business owners and entrepreneurs, this includes:

  • Autism spectrum disorder

  • ADHD

  • Dyslexia

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Down Syndrome

The scheme accepts applications from those in England, Scotland, and Wales. 


How to apply

If you believe you are eligible for the scheme, you can apply online here:

https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

To be considered for an Access to Work grant, you will need to provide information about your condition. This can include how it affects you in the workplace, and the type of support you’re looking for. 

At Chapter Online, we understand that this can be tricky. It may not always be easy to translate your feelings and frustrations in the workplace into words. The good news is that we’re here to help. 

As part of our commitment to supporting the neurodivergent business community, we offer a dedicated application support service. We can help you to communicate your needs in the best way possible. We’ve proudly worked with many business owners and employees to increase their chances of being awarded an Access to Work grant.


Right to choose

Since 2018, people in England have gained the right to choose alternative mental healthcare providers under the NHS. There are some criteria that have to be met; ADHD UK has a full explanation here.