What I wish I'd known before applying to Access to Work
Lived experience — one person's own experience, not a general rule. This is not professional, legal or medical advice.
- Category
- work
- Nation
- England
- Shared by
- Anonymous contributor
- Submitted
- 5 January 2026
- Published
- 8 January 2026
- Reviewed by
- Community moderation team
Demonstration content. My Access to Work application took much longer than I expected, so I would recommend applying well before you start a new job if possible, not after your first day.
I found it helpful to get quotes for the specific software I needed in advance, rather than waiting for an assessor to suggest options from scratch.
This is my own experience with one application. Processing times and outcomes vary, so check current guidance before applying.
- employer disclosure
- assistive technology