Access to Work guide for employees

Updated on: 27 October 2025

How to apply for support if you have a disability or health condition.

This guide explains how to apply for support through Access to Work if you are a new or existing employee with a disability or a physical or mental health condition. It also outlines who to contact for advice and what to expect at each stage of the process.

When to consider applying

If you are experiencing barriers that affect how you do your job – for example, due to illness, disability, neurodiversity or a mental health condition – Access to Work may be able to help.

Who to speak to

You can:

  • Speak to your line manager or HR Business Partner for advice on reasonable adjustments and Access to Work.
  • Ask your line manager to refer you to Occupational Health for an assessment and help with completing the application form.
  • Apply directly to Access to Work without involving Occupational Health or HR. You will need to name a workplace contact name at the University as part of your application.

Additional support and advice

You can also contact the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team at diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk for advice on the application process and reasonable adjustments.

Applying before you start work

If you are a new member of staff, you can apply before you start. If you apply within six weeks of your start date, Access to Work will normally fund the full cost of any recommended adjustments.

What happens after you apply

After you apply:

  • Access to Work will contact you to arrange a needs assessment.
  • Based on the assessment, Access to Work will make recommendations and issue an award letter.
  • It may take six months or more to receive your award.

The award letter is sent to both you and your line manager. It will list:

  • the recommended adjustments
  • the total cost of each item
  • the amount Access to Work will contribute

Putting support in place

Your line manager is responsible for putting the support in place. If you need help arranging this, the EDI Team can assist. They may contact you to confirm what has been provided and whether the adjustments are working. The team may also work with your line manager, IT Services, or Estates to make the necessary arrangements.

If your School or professional services unit is arranging the purchases and claims process, please ask them to inform Finance of any claims made.

Ongoing support (scribes, support workers, British Sign Language interpreters)

If your award includes ongoing support such as a scribe, support worker or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, please keep the EDI Team informed.

It is important that all timesheets and invoices are sent to the EDI team so that the University can claim the costs from Access to Work.