Access to Work grants
For more information, visit the Parkinson’s UK website (last updated November 2021).
An Access to Work grant provides money for practical support to people with a disability, such as a long-term health condition.
Jobcentre Plus, or Jobs and Benefit Offices in Northern Ireland, administer the Access to Work programme. It is there to provide help towards covering the costs of adjustments which would be unreasonable to expect an employer to make, because they are too expensive or impractical. Your employer still has a duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act and the Disability Discrimination Act.
What can Access to Work provide funding for?
- A support worker if you need practical help either at work or getting to work, such as getting in and out of your car
- Adaptations to a vehicle, or help towards taxi fares or other transport costs if you cannot use public transport to get to work
- Any equipment, or alterations to existing equipment, that is necessary because of Parkinson’s, such as voice-to-text software or an adapted chair
- Alterations to buildings, offices or a working environment, such as making doors easier to open
How do I apply?
Applications for Access to Work grants must be made by the person with the disability.
If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you can find out more about Access to Work on the government’s website at the link below.
If you’re in Northern Ireland, you should contact an Employment Service Adviser in your local Jobs and Benefits office or JobCentre. You can visit the Northern Ireland Direct website at the link below.