Access to Work Guide: ADHD-friendly!
Access to Work (A2W) is a Government scheme that can help pay for things for you to stay in work if you have a disability. This could include things like a job coach, standing desk, reminder software… basically anything that can help you do your job like your colleagues are able to. I was SO shocked to find out this existed, after struggling for so long - which is why I talk about it a lot in the ‘Finances’ & ‘Jobs’ chapters of ADHD: an A to Z.
A2W isn’t perfect - mainly because the application process is so bureaucratic that it is incredibly difficult to figure out how to do properly, there can be delays and mistakes can be made (which I explain how to rectify below). It doesn’t actually help you GET a job - not so much access ‘to’ work as access to ‘stay in’ work. So that’s not great if you’re out of work (and ADHD isn’t usually associated with job stability), but it’s better than nothing. And really, really important to know about!
It should be clarified that this is not official or legal advice and no responsibility is taken for following it - but I hope it’s helpful as a rough guide based off my own experiences! It’s also obviously catered towards my experiences of ADHD, but worth mentioning that this could show up in so many different ways, depending on the person, as the case for all health conditions.
Why apply?
A2W can help pay for things based on your needs . This may include things that your employer doesn’t offer as part of ‘reasonable adjustments’ for your condition (like flexible working hours or locations). Examples relevant to people with ADHD might include:
special equipment (for ADHD-ers this could include a headset, noise cancelling headphones, a standing desk, wall planners, time timers, desk planners, a note taking table, a weighted lap pad, fidget toys, watches with reminders, whiteboards, printers, and laminators!)
special software (for ADHD-ers this could include a personal assistant, Dragon dictation software, audible.com, Alexa / Google home, password software such as ‘Dashlane’, Trello / Asana (for task management), or meditation apps such as Calm).
support worker services such as an assistant or job coach to help you in your workplace (I HIGHLY recommend the ADHD Advocate and membership to ADHD Unlocked - where you can get peer support).
Who can apply?
People aged 16+, who live in England, Wales or Scotland, who:
have a paid job, including work experience & internships.
are self employed, if they achieve the ‘Lower Earnings Limit’ per year, currently £6,136 - or if not, have a business plan with a 3 year financial forecast. The Princes Trust & HMRC can help with this.
have a disability or a health condition (physical or mental) which makes it hard for them to do parts of their job, or get to and from work.
How do you apply?
You can apply by phone, or online here, which includes questions on:
Your conditions or disabilities: e.g. ADHD (it’s probably advisable to have a medical diagnosis or doctor’s support in whatever you say here, rather than being self-diagnosed).
Whether you have problems travelling to work: if you do, you’ll be asked to consider other options. A2W won’t necessarily pay for a limo if you struggle with catching the bus, but they might make an assessment of how bad your problems are and whether they or your employer could help in any way, such as by working from home or helping with other transport options.
Whether your condition makes it harder for you to do your job, and if so, how. Any current coping strategies, and whether you know what you need to get help with this.
It’s good to put as much information as you can down, as if you have a ‘good level of knowledge about what support you need’, then your application can be ‘fast tracked’ (point 183) and dealt with faster.
Some examples of how ADHD could make it harder for a person to do their job include:
Becoming overwhelmed with stress and burning out, experiencing panic attacks & exhaustion.
Having trouble doing small administrative tasks, that then take up your whole day & result in a lot of stress.
Difficulty in relationships with colleagues, due to emotional dysregulation, having strong reactions and experiencing sensory overwhelm.
Making impulsive decisions that you wouldn’t have made if you’d thought them out a bit more, which might have long term consequences!
Becoming distracted by noises, sounds, thoughts.. anything at all! Office environments aren’t always great for ADHD.
Difficulty meeting deadlines, organising work, being able to follow processes…
Having poor attention to detail.
Current coping strategies might include things like working from home or flexible working hours, and ways that you could get more help with it include those listed above.
Details about your job, including how long you’ve been there & their contact details
If you’ve not told your employer that you have a health condition that impairs your ability to do your job, it might feel difficult in considering how to tell them, but they will usually need to know if you’re applying for A2W. They should not treat you negatively for this - which is something I talk about in a lot more detail in ‘J is for Jobs’ of my book, ‘ADHD: an A to Z’.
What happens next: the assessment
An A2W adviser will look at your application, including whether you have had any previous assessments, which could help speed things up. If the caseworker is unsure about or can’t agree with you on the appropriate level of support (121) they can refer you for an independent assessment, which they should give you a call to discuss beforehand.
The assessment might take place in person, at your workplace, or virtually - mine was a phone call (given the pandemic)! The assessor will most likely ask you about the questions that you have already answered, possibly helping to identify any other ways that you could be helped to stay in work. It can feel a bit embarrassing to ask for help, but it’s really important that you are as honest as possible.
The assessor will then report back to A2W with their recommendations, usually 3 different options based on cost. A2W will notify you by email about the decision, and post you a copy of your report and a confirmation letter.
You have to sign and return the declaration letter to ATW, which will then allow them to issue a claims pack to your employer. There are lots of different situations describing who pays for ATW - and they might ask your employer to contribute. For support workers, 100% is paid by ATW, regardless of how big your organisation is.
Important to know:
It might take a few weeks or months for A2W to get in touch. The communication can be also be less than ideal - I was told the wrong date for my assessment call and some of my emails bounced. DO NOT GIVE UP! Let them know if no one turns up to the assessment, call, email - do whatever you need to do!
You have to return the signed declaration letter within 4 weeks of the date of the letter which can be difficult if you, like me, receive the letter almost 3 weeks after it was sent due to postal delays!
So make sure that when you get an email or call to let you know a decision has been made, you keep an eye out for the letter and stay in touch with A2W. I’d also get proof of postage when returning it and confirm this by email, so you can show you’ve done it and don’t need to apply all over again!
What do I do if I don’t agree with the decision?
You can request that A2W reconsider their decision, contacting them within 4 weeks of the date on the letter! So this is really important to know: if you’re not happy, contact them immediately. This can be by post, or the email address provided in the letter, asking for the Access to Work Reconsideration Team.
I don’t know if everyone will have the same experience I did, but my decision was overturned. I advise that you read the Access to Work Guidance to check if all the processes were followed correctly.
I’d advise emailing to explain why you think there has been a mistake made as soon as possible. For example, the decision may not be tailored to your individual needs, as required by the guidance. The ‘justification’ for your decision will be able to demonstrate this - and of course, this will be affected by how specific, reasonable and accurate you were in your application. You could also raise any mistakes made during the process, such as evidence not being accounted for properly.
I really recommend taking every opportunity you have to make your case as much as strongly as possible. It can be a bit of a confusing and complicated process, but you have nothing to lose by asking for the help you think you need.
If you have had poor customer service or you think your A2W claim has not been handled correctly, you can also complain using their complaints procedure.
Phew! Then what?
A2W may contact your employer to tell them that they should purchase the support (or part of it, depending on what is agreed), and then send them the claim form and proof of purchase to be repaid. This will obviously be you if you’re self-employed!
It was quite a long, difficult process, but it was so incredibly worth it. It’s really important to know that the Government offer this scheme, and great that they do, because people with disabilities need to be better supported at work.