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Access to Work

The Government’s Access to Work programme provides support to disabled people who are in work or have the offer of work.

Support offered through this programme includes grants towards the cost of equipment required for individuals to gain or retain employment.

If a grant is offered through the Access to Work programme, it will require a personal contribution from the applicant if the equipment can also provide benefit outside of work.

This is known as the “Social and Domestic Contribution” and has been a long standing feature of the Government’s Access to Work programme.

The Access to Work programme offers funding that is calculated pro rata to the number of days worked. So, if you work three days a week, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) can offer a grant of 3/7 of the equipment cost. You are then responsible for the remainder of the cost, which is the Social and Domestic Contribution.

Although we have no role in determining who should receive assistance from the Access to Work Programme, as this decision is made solely by the DWP, we can support disabled people with grants towards the Social and Domestic Contribution in some areas. The support we offer comes as a Motability Foundation Access to Work Grant.

What we offer

Through our Access to Work Grants, we can reimburse the total Social and Domestic Contribution for the following items of equipment:

  • Manual wheelchairs
  • Powered wheelchairs
  • Scooters
  • Vehicle adaptations.

A vehicle adaptation is an item of equipment that is installed in a vehicle post manufacture or after conversion. We are unable to support any vehicle costs or costs associated with the conversion or altering of a vehicle such as lowering of the floor. If you are uncertain about the distinction please contact us for guidance.

We are unable to support any other items of equipment.

Who can receive a Motability Foundation Access to Work Grant?

Anyone who has received an offer from the DWP of an Access to Work grant for equipment can apply to Motability Foundation for a grant towards the full cost of any Social and Domestic Contribution for relevant equipment (as listed above).

You do not need to be a Motability Scheme customer.

Only applications submitted to the DWP Access to Work programme from 1 July 2019 and applications submitted to Motability Foundation within three months of the date of purchase of the relevant equipment will be eligible. (Special arrangements are in place for DWP awards granted in the period 1 July 2019 to 13 January 2020).

When you have bought and received the equipment specified in the DWP’s Access to Work grant offer letter, you can apply to us for a grant. You will need to send us a copy of the original DWP Access to Work offer letter together with a copy of your receipt showing that you have purchased the goods / adaptations, and that they have been delivered / installed. We cannot accept an invoice as proof of purchase. Any payment issued will be made by cheque.

Applications can be made by post to:
Motability Foundation Access to Work Programme
Motability Foundation
Warwick House
Roydon Road
Harlow
Essex
CM19 5PX

Alternatively, you can submit an application by email to AccessToWork@motabilityfoundation.org.uk

We will try to make payment within two weeks of receipt of the application. If you need to call us in connection with the application please call 0800 500 3186.

Note: When making an application please ensure you provide the following details:

  • Your full name;
  • Full postal address;
  • Contact telephone number;
  • Copy of the Access to Work grant offer letter;
  • Proof of purchase and delivery / installation of adaptations. 

Before you apply, please read our Access to Work Data Protection Notice (PDF 121.5 KB).