Access to Work for ADHD, autism and dyslexia explained: what the grant pays for, who can apply, how long it takes, and whether Access to Work can fund coaching, software or a support worker at work

This episode tells you exactly what Access to Work is, whether it applies to you, and what to gather before you apply.

Esther Bangura, financial coach for neurodivergent adults, walks through the UK Access to Work scheme for ADHD, autistic and dyslexic adults: what the grant can pay for, including assistive software, a support worker and coaching, who can apply as an employee or a self employed person, and the executive dysfunction that keeps capable people from applying at all. She covers the current waiting times using the latest House of Commons Library figures, shares her own 8 month wait honestly, and gives the full Before You Apply list so gathering your information takes 1 hour instead of 3 months.

Part 1 of 2. Part 2 publishes Thursday 1 October.

Highlights

• What Access to Work is, who can apply, and why gov.uk naming autism, ADHD and dyslexia matters more than you think.
• What the grant can pay for, including coaching, and the honest limits on what anyone can promise you.
• The real waiting times, and the Before You Apply list to gather this week

CTA — Take the Next Step

• Book a 90 minute one to one coaching session: estherbangura.com/coaching
• Get 50% off the PocketSmith Foundation Monthly plan for the first two months: https://my.pocketsmith.com/redeem?tap_a=77627-d2024d&ref=mzjlndb&code=50OFFPREMIUM-F4RG (affiliate link, I use PocketSmith myself and with clients)
• The free ND Money Report, my research with 279 neurodivergent adults: estherbangura.com/nd-money-report
• Questions, feedback and reviews: estherbangura.com/ask

Links and resources

• Access to Work on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
• Access to Work NI: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/access-work-ni-practical-help-work
• House of Commons Library briefing on Access to Work, 26 June 2026: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06666/
• US, Job Accommodation Network: https://askjan.org/
• Australia, JobAccess: https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/

The before you apply List

1. Your National Insurance number
2. Your UTR, if you are self employed
3. Your workplace address and postcode, and a workplace contact, if you are employed
4. Your job title, hours and the days you work
5. Three ways your condition affects your work. Set a timer for 5 minutes and answer one question: what is true right now about my working day?
6. What support you think would help

Then book 1 hour with someone and do it alongside them if starting feels hard.

Related episodes

EP93 | Self-Employed With ADHD? How to Finally Complete Your Access to Work Application

EP75 | The Neurodivergent Tax: What Being ADHD, Autistic or Dyslexic Really Costs You Every Year

EP84 | Neurodivergent Business Owners: Why the Money Side Feels So Much Harder

EP53 | What Is A ADHD, Neurodivergent & Money Coaching Session Really like