AtW Employers
Clear routes. Real support. No matter how you work - Accessibility for you as an Employer, Employee, and Freelancer.
Access to Work is a resource that helps to create a more accessible work environment. It provides grants to remove barriers that disabled individuals face in undertaking paid employment.
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This guide has been designed to interpret the Access to Work rules and official guidance for employers, with specific advice for UK Television.
Eligibility
To get help from Access to Work, the applicant must be disabled or living with a long-term health condition, which means they face barriers in their job. They must also be 16 or over, and there is no upper age limit.
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They must live and work in England, Scotland, or Wales. There is a different system in Northern Ireland. Access to Work isn’t available if you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
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The applicant needs to have a paid job or be about to start or return to one. There is no minimum earning limit for PAYE employees (different rules apply for those who are self-employed). A paid job generally means full or part-time paid work, whether permanent, casual, or temporary (a standard PAYE job), but also could include:
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An apprenticeship
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A work trial arranged by Jobcentre Plus
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Up to 8 weeks of unpaid work experience
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A Department for Education Supported Internship
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Freelancers who are Self-employed, or going to be, please see our separate guide here.​
Grants aren’t available for voluntary work or when in training, except for training related to paid employment. Access to Work is also available for individuals who require communication support during interviews.
Resources
CDN has developed a range of resources for your use, including a guide for Employers.
Top Tip
There is no lower earnings limit or minimum salary requirements to be eligible.
As long as you are meeting your legal responsibilities as an employer - for example, by paying your employees at least the minimum wage - you are entitled to Access to Work support.