Access to Work to Fund ARC
Adults in Great Britain with an ADHD diagnosis who are in, or are soon to be in paid work, may be eligible for the Access to Work Grant. This grant may be able to fund some or all of your participation in ARC.
Eligibility and use of the Access to Work grant is at the discretion of your Access to Work assessor. We have outlined below the process of how we work with Access to Work for funding ARC.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a government grant in Great Britain that helps people with disabilities and long-term health conditions access practical support to remain effective in work.
Depending on your individual circumstances, this may include specialist ADHD coaching to help develop workplace strategies for planning, organisation, prioritisation, time management, emotional regulation and other executive functioning skills.
Funding ARC through Access to Work
1. Apply to Access to Work
Complete your application and request funding for specialist ADHD workplace coaching.
2. Receive your Funding Decision
If your application is successful, Access to Work will confirm the level of funding awarded.
3. Enrol in ARC
Choose your preferred ARC cohort and pay your enrolment fee directly to ADHDEd.
4. Claim reimbursement
Submit your invoice and payment evidence to Access to Work in accordance with your award so that your costs can be reimbursed.
Please note: ADHDEd requires payment when you enrol in ARC.
Access to Work reimburses you (or your employer) after payment has been made, subject to the terms of your award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have my Access to Work funding approved before enrolling in ARC?
We recommend waiting until you have received your Access to Work award before enrolling. This allows you to confirm the level of funding available to you (if any) and ensures you understand the terms of your award before paying for your enrolment.
Some participants choose not to wait and instead enrol in ARC immediately. If you choose to do this, you will be required to pay the full cost of the programme at the time of enrolment. If your Access to Work application is later approved and your award includes funding for ARC, you may then be able to claim reimbursement from Access to Work in accordance with the terms of your award.
Does Access to Work always cover the full cost of ARC?
Many people use their Access to Work grant to fund some or all of their participation in ARC. However, every application is assessed individually and we cannot guarantee the amount of funding that will be awarded.
Do I pay ADHDEd or does Access to Work pay ADHDEd?
ADHDEd requires payment when you enrol in ARC. Once you have paid, you (or your employer, where applicable) can claim reimbursement from Access to Work in accordance with the terms of your award.
What should I ask Access to Work to fund?
This depends on the support you are looking for at work. You can explain that you are requesting specialist ADHD coaching to help you manage the impact of ADHD in your working life. The downloadable ARC information sheet provides further detail about the programme and the workplace skills it supports.
Is ARC suitable for Access to Work funding?
Although ARC is designed to support adults with ADHD in all aspects of daily life, many of the practical strategies taught are directly applicable to the workplace. These include: planning, organisation, prioritisation, time management and emotional regulation. Whether Access to Work will fund participation in ARC is determined by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Can I use Access to Work if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Self-employed people may also be eligible for Access to Work if they meet the scheme's eligibility criteria. You should check the latest guidance on the GOV.UK website.
I'm still waiting to hear back from Access to Work. What should I do?
Access to Work applications can currently take weeks to months to process, so you may need to wait some time before receiving a decision. While you're waiting, you're welcome to keep in touch with us by joining our community where we often offer free events.
Some participants choose not to wait and instead enrol in ARC immediately. If you choose to do this, you will be required to pay the full cost of the programme at the time of enrolment. If your Access to Work application is later approved and your award includes funding for ARC, you may then be able to claim reimbursement from Access to Work in accordance with the terms of your award.
Will ADHDEd help me complete my application?
We provide information about ARC and guidance on how the programme supports workplace functioning, but we are unable to complete Access to Work applications or advise on the outcome of individual funding requests.
Can my employer pay for ARC instead?
Yes. Some employers choose to fund ADHD coaching directly, either independently or alongside an Access to Work award. If this applies to you, please get in touch and we can discuss the most appropriate payment option.
What information will I need to claim reimbursement?
Access to Work will normally ask for evidence of the support you've received, such as invoices and proof of payment. The exact requirements will be set out in your award letter.
Can ADHDEd guarantee that my application will be successful?
No. All Access to Work funding decisions are made by the Department for Work and Pensions. While we provide information about the ARC programme to support your application, we cannot guarantee eligibility or funding.