The government will pay for your ADHD coaching. Here's how to claim it.
Access to Work is a UK government grant that most high-achievers with ADHD have never heard of. If you're in paid work — including self-employment — it could fund your coaching in full.
You've found workarounds for years. You know how to look competent in meetings while your brain is on fire behind your eyes. You hit your deadlines — usually. You've built a life that, from the outside, looks like you've got it together.
But privately? You're exhausted. You're spending enormous amounts of energy just managing the basics. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you wonder what it would feel like to work with your brain instead of constantly fighting it.
That's exactly what ADHD coaching does. And if you're employed — or self-employed — in the UK, the government may pay for all of it.
£69,260
The maximum Access to Work grant available per year — specifically to fund workplace support for people with ADHD. In most cases, ADHD coaching is funded at 100%. You choose your coach.
This grant is called Access to Work, and only around 1 in 100 eligible people actually claim it. If you're reading this and thinking "that can't be right" — it is. And by the time you finish this blog, you'll know exactly what it is, whether you qualify, and how to use it to work with NeuroMagic Club.
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work is a grant scheme run by the UK government's Department for Work and Pensions. It exists to remove the practical barriers that stop people with disabilities or long-term health conditions from thriving at work.
ADHD is covered. And not just at the "technically qualifies" level — ADHD coaching sits at the heart of what Access to Work was designed to fund. The majority of ADHD coaches in the UK work primarily with Access to Work-funded clients.
It's not a loan. It's not means-tested. It doesn't affect any other benefits. And you don't need to pay it back.
"You've spent years working twice as hard to produce the same results as everyone else. Access to Work exists precisely to rebalance that."
Do you qualify?
The eligibility criteria are simpler than most people expect. You need to meet all four of the following:
You have ADHD
Diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or awaiting diagnosis. You don't need a formal letter — you need to be able to describe how your condition affects your work.
You're in paid work
Employed, self-employed, freelance, part-time, or about to start a new role. Even one hour per week at minimum wage counts.
You're based in England, Scotland or Wales
Northern Ireland has a separate but similar scheme. The scheme covers remote workers too — you don't have to go into an office.
You're 16 or over
There's no upper age limit. Whether you were diagnosed last month or have known about your ADHD for decades — you can apply.
A note on diagnosis: you do not need a formal ADHD diagnosis to apply. If you are awaiting assessment, or have self-identified and can describe clearly how your ADHD affects your working life, you can still apply. The assessment focuses on your experience, not your paperwork.
What can it actually fund?
Access to Work can cover a wide range of ADHD-related workplace support. Here's what's commonly funded:
ADHD coaching— one-to-one sessions focused on focus, time management, organisation, executive function, emotional regulation and work confidence. This is the most commonly funded support for people with ADHD.
Specialist software— mind-mapping tools, time-tracking apps, body-doubling apps, text-to-speech software, task managers and more.
Practical equipment— noise-cancelling headphones, ergonomic chairs, standing desks, fidget tools, visual timers, smartwatches.
Support workers— a virtual assistant or workplace aide to help with planning, note-taking, meeting prep and task tracking.
Travel costs— if your ADHD makes public transport difficult, Access to Work can fund alternative travel arrangements.
Coaching is almost always funded at 100% for self-employed applicants and small business employees. If you work for a larger employer (over 50 staff), your employer may be asked to contribute a small percentage — but the majority is still government-funded.
How to apply — step by step
The process is more straightforward than it sounds. Here's the honest version of what to expect:
1
Apply online at gov.uk/access-to-work
The application takes around 20–30 minutes. You'll describe how your ADHD affects your ability to do your job and what kind of support you think would help. Don't overthink it — the form is a starting point, not a final assessment. You will not be judged solely on what you write here.
2
Wait to be contacted by an assessor
Current waiting times are typically 3–6 months. This is the honest reality of the scheme right now — it's worth submitting as soon as possible so your place in the queue is secured. Starting the application does not commit you to anything.
3
Have your assessment call
This is an informal conversation — not an interrogation. An assessor will ask about your work, your ADHD, and what support would help. They may ask you to get quotes from coaches. You can request a quote from NeuroMagic Club at any point in this process.
4
Receive your support package
Once approved, your award letter will detail what's funded and for how long. Coaching is typically funded for 3–6 months initially, with renewal after review. Support usually lasts up to three years before a check-in.
5
Book your coaching — and choose NeuroMagic Club
Access to Work lets you choose your own coach. You are not assigned to a provider. Once your award is confirmed, get in touch with us and we'll handle the rest — the invoicing, the paperwork, and setting up a coaching plan that fits both your grant and your goals.
(And I hate to break it to you… but here’s the honest bit nobody tells you…)
The application process is not ADHD-friendly. There are forms, emails, waiting, follow-ups, and a system that wasn't designed with a neurodivergent brain in mind. This is real, and it's worth naming.
The most important thing is to get your application in and join the queue. You do not need a perfect form. You do not need a diagnosis letter. You just need to submit. Once you're in the system, we can support you through the rest of it.
If you start a new job within the next four weeks, your application will be prioritised — so don't delay if that's your situation.
Why work with NeuroMagic Club?
Access to Work lets you choose your own ADHD coach — and that choice matters more than most people realise. Here's what makes NeuroMagic Club different from a standard coaching provider:
Mind
Qualified psychotherapist
This is not just coaching. It's therapeutic coaching from someone who understands ADHD at a clinical depth — including RSD, burnout, masking and the emotional weight of late diagnosis.
Body
Movement and nervous system
As a pilates and yoga specialist, sessions can incorporate somatic tools — working with the body to regulate the nervous system. No other Access to Work ADHD coach does this.
Soul
Creativity as a coaching tool
Arts and writing are woven into the work where helpful. Journalling, visual mapping, creative expression — for ADHD brains, these unlock insight that talking alone rarely reaches.
Community
You join something bigger
Coaching clients get access to the NeuroMagic Club community — workshops, a Skool community, and a group of people who genuinely get it. Based in Stockport, reaching worldwide.
Sessions are available online — which means wherever you are in the UK, you can access NeuroMagic Club coaching through your Access to Work grant. We're happy to provide quotes for your application and support you through the process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to tell my employer?
If you're employed, yes — your employer will need to confirm you work there. They are not involved in your assessment and do not need to know the details of your ADHD. For many people, this is the hardest step. We can support you in thinking through how to approach that conversation.
What if I'm self-employed?
Self-employed applicants apply directly as individuals, and funding is paid straight to you or your supplier. There's no employer to involve. The process is simpler, and Access to Work typically covers 100% of approved costs for self-employed people.
Can I use Access to Work even if I'm on the NHS waiting list?
Yes. You don't need a diagnosis to apply — you need to be able to describe how your difficulties affect your work. Many people successfully receive Access to Work funding while still awaiting formal assessment.
How does payment actually work?
For coaching, you or your employer typically pay first and then claim back through the online Access to Work portal. Reimbursement usually takes 3–4 weeks. We'll make the invoicing process as simple as possible from our end.
Can my Access to Work grant cover workshops too?
In some cases, yes — workplace training and support can be included. Speak to your assessor about including NeuroMagic Club workshops as part of your support package.
You've spent your whole career working twice as hard to produce the same results. Access to Work exists to rebalance that. You've earned this.
The most important thing is this: if you've been thinking about ADHD coaching and wondering how you'd afford it, stop wondering. There is a government grant specifically designed to pay for this. And right now, in April 2026, most of the people who should be using it aren't.
Submit the form. Get in the queue. And when you're ready to choose your coach — we'll be here.
Ready to get started?
We can provide a quote for your Access to Work application, talk you through the process, and make sure your coaching plan fits your grant and your goals. Book a free discovery call — no pressure, no commitment.
Send an email to hello@neuromagicclub.com or fill out the form on the home page.
