What is Access to Work and can it fund a VA for your business?

Like many of you, I wasn't sure what Access to Work was before I entered the VA world — it's not something that I ever saw actively promoted, and I only learned the actual process of applying when helping someone do it for the first time (spoiler alert: for something that is supposed to help disabled people get into or stay in work, it isn't exactly the most accessible... ironic, I know).

There can be quite a few hoops to jump through to actually be granted Access to Work funding, but if you get granted an award, it can be truly life-changing.

So what actually is it? In the most boring possible terms, it's a government scheme that helps disabled people or people with a physical or mental health condition get practical and financial support to start or stay in work. In the much more useful terms — it can fund the stuff that makes the difference between "just about coping" and "actually building something." And here's the bit that surprises most people: it doesn't matter how many hours you work, how much you earn, or whether you're a freelancer, self-employed, or full-time employed — you don't have to be drowning to qualify, you just have to genuinely need the support. GOV.UK Braininhand

We support so many clients with Access to Work funding, and for many, this support enables them to access help they never would have been able to afford on their own. It allows them to have a support worker like a VA to help with elements of their business that otherwise fall by the wayside, and gives them the steady support that allows them to actually progress in their work without burning out (a novel idea, I know!).

The bit people actually want to know: what does it cover, and how much?

There's no fixed amount — every case is assessed individually, so there isn't a set figure everyone gets — but funding can reach genuinely significant sums depending on need , with awards for neurodivergent individuals and disabled people potentially reaching up to £66,000 a year. It can go towards specialist support items such as apps like Brain in Hand, or accessibility items that make your working life easier — think dictation software, adapted equipment, or a support worker like a VA. The one catch: it won't fund anything your employer is already legally required to provide as a reasonable adjustment — so it's designed to sit alongside that, not replace it. If you're self-employed, the equivalent logic applies to your own business setup rather than an employer. Admin and More + 2

Do you need a diagnosis? No — and please don't let that stop you.

You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply for Access to Work, but it helps if you can explain your access needs. Which matters enormously, because so many of us are stuck on eye-wateringly long NHS waiting lists just to get assessed in the first place. Don't sit there waiting for a letter to give you permission to ask for support you already know you need. Scope UK

If you're self-employed, here's the practical bit

You'll need to be actively trading and able to prove it — a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number is the key thing, along with meeting the general eligibility criteria around needing support because of a disability or health condition. Worth knowing too: funding only applies from the date you actually apply — they won't reimburse anything bought beforehand, so it's worth getting the ball rolling even while you're still figuring out exactly what support looks like for you. Admin and MoreMaxndc

The application itself isn't as scary as the reputation suggests — the online form takes about 20 minutes, or you can call and have someone talk you through it. It's the waiting and the back-and-forth afterward that tends to be the real test of patience.

If any of this sounds like exactly what you need but the thought of the application form makes your brain want to leave your body — you're not alone, and you don't have to do it solo either. We've sat alongside plenty of clients through this exact process, from working out what to even ask for, right through to the follow-up calls nobody warns you about.

Get in touch if that's a weight you'd rather share.