Applying for Access to Work, step by step
If paperwork feels overwhelming, you are not alone — many people with ADHD put off applications like this. Breaking it into small steps makes it much more manageable.
First, gather the essentials before you start the form: your National Insurance number, your workplace address, a contact at work (usually your manager or HR), and, if you are self-employed, your Unique Taxpayer Reference. Having these in one place means you can complete the application in one sitting.
Second, apply online through the GOV.UK Access to Work page. There is also a telephone route if you find forms difficult. You will answer questions about your job, your condition and how it affects your work. Answer in your own words — everyday examples are more useful than formal language. “I start reports but struggle to finish them without reminders” tells an assessor far more than a diagnostic label.
Third, after you apply, an adviser may phone you to talk through your needs, and may contact your employer. This conversation is your chance to explain what a hard day actually looks like, so keep your examples nearby.
Finally, you will get a decision letter explaining what support is approved and any amount your employer needs to contribute. Keep this letter safe — you will need it to arrange the support and claim the costs back.
If any step stalls, ask someone you trust to sit with you while you do it. Body doubling — simply having another person present — can make admin tasks far easier to start and finish.