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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
5 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
October 28, 2025
Access to Work was designed to be a lifeline for disabled employees and jobseekers but in 2025, that lifeline has become tangled in red tape. Across the UK, thousands are waiting months for essential equipment, travel support, or workplace adjustments. These delays are leaving disabled people out of work, struggling financially, and feeling forgotten by a system meant to help them.
At Purpl, we know how crucial this support is. We often hear from our community about having to self-fund mobility aids or specialist software while waiting for approval. That’s why this guide not only explains what’s happening with the Access to Work delays, but also shows realistic ways to stay supported, save money, and protect wellbeing while waiting.
Access to Work was meant to empower disabled people to start and stay in employment but many are finding the process painfully slow. In February 2025, the average decision time was 84.6 days, leaving applicants unable to start jobs or manage without vital tools and transport. These long waits affect mental health, financial security and career opportunities, widening the disability employment gap that the scheme was designed to close.
Purpl insight: Members frequently tell us they’ve dipped into savings or relied on family to stay afloat. Purpl exists to change that, giving members instant savings on mobility aids, assistive tech and travel so that independence doesn’t have to wait.
Access to Work (AtW) is a government-funded scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that provides financial help for disabled people to work effectively and safely.
The grant can pay for:
Eligibility applies where a disability or long-term health condition affects the ability to do a job or travel to work.
Purpl Tip: Apply for Access to Work before a new role starts wherever possible because it helps ensure support arrives when needed.
The numbers reveal a continuing challenge:
Some applicants report waits of four months or more. Disability charities warn that bottlenecks risk setting inclusion back years. (Note: the official figures do not provide a breakdown by employment status.)
The government has not published an official list of causes. Performance and delivery are under scrutiny, but specific reasons such as staffing levels or hybrid assessments are not confirmed in GOV.UK guidance.
Purpl Tip: Provide detailed evidence and quotes when you apply. Incomplete or unclear applications are far more likely to be delayed.
Access to Work delays don’t just slow down paperwork, they disrupt lives:
Here are practical steps to help you stay supported while waiting for Access to Work approval:
Explain your situation honestly. Most employers are sympathetic when they understand delays are out of your control.
Purpl Tip: Mention that your Access to Work application is active and share your reference number, it shows initiative and transparency.
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments. This can include working from home, flexible scheduling, shared office equipment, or temporary funding for minor adjustments while a decision is pending.
Keep a timeline of calls, emails, and any costs. This record helps with follow-ups and, where appropriate, claims.
Charities, local authorities and some employers hold small funds for accessibility or emergency equipment.
Join Purpl’s members community to share tips, advice, and moral support from people going through the same thing.
Check you’re eligible and apply through the official GOV.UK website, here are two key links that will help you get started:
GOV.UK: Check you’re eligible
GOV.UK: Apply for Access to Work
Here some practical, official guidance to use while an Access to Work decision is pending.
Can I start work before my Access to Work application is approved?
Yes, but speak to your employer about temporary adjustments to avoid health or safety issues.
What if my job offer is withdrawn due to delays?
Keep written evidence and contact your MP or ACAS for advice. You may have grounds to challenge discriminatory treatment.
Are self-employed applicants eligible?
Yes. Self-employed people can apply but may wait longer and must show how their condition affects their work.
Can I change jobs during the process?
Yes, but you’ll need to update your application immediately under “change of circumstances”.
Can I claim back expenses I’ve already paid?
Only for items and support approved in the Access to Work decision letter and claimed in line with the official process. Do not buy items expecting reimbursement unless Access to Work has agreed them.
Access to Work delays are frustrating, but they don’t have to stop your career. By staying proactive, knowing your rights, and using Purpl’s support network and discounts, you can keep working, saving and thriving while you wait for official help.
Your employment, your wellbeing and your productivity matter. Use every tool available to maintain momentum while the system catches up.
Georgina Colman is the founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money through meaningful discounts and exclusive offers. Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and ADHD, she understands first-hand the financial pressures that come with managing a disability — and she’s on a mission to help others offset those costs and live more freely.
As an ambulatory wheelchair user, Georgina knows what it’s like to face a loss of independence and navigate daily challenges. Her passion for holistic health, nutrition, and inflammation management fuels her commitment to staying well and empowering others to do the same.
Through Purpl, she aims to build more than just a savings platform — she’s creating an essential resource for disabled people, offering practical support, expert advice, and genuine financial relief.
The Purpl Members Private Facebook Group provides a safe, supportive community where members can connect, share experiences, and lift each other up.
Looking ahead, Georgina’s long-term vision is to launch a foundation offering grants to disabled individuals who need additional financial support, ensuring no one is left behind due to circumstance or cost.
Follow @Purpldiscounts on social media for the latest disability discounts, financial advice, and accessibility resources.
Other articles, or links, you might find useful:
Get That Dream Job, Asking for What You Want
Top 10 Tips for Finding Work if you are Disabled
Positive Talk About Disability in the Workplace
Asking for Reasonable Adjustments at Work: Tips, Template & Resources
What is a Health Adjustment Passport & How to Apply