Grants for Disabled Entrepreneurs

Self-employment among disabled people in the UK

Disabled people are more likely to be self-employed than non-disabled workers, though exact figures vary depending on the source and year. Some estimates suggest around 18% of the disabled workforce runs their own business, compared with roughly 14% of non-disabled workers.

This means a higher proportion of grant applications come from disabled entrepreneurs. Some funding bodies actively welcome applications from disabled business owners, and a few run dedicated schemes to support them.

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Access to Work

The Access to Work scheme is a government programme that helps cover extra costs disabled people face at work. It applies to employees and self-employed people alike, though there are caps on total funding available.

The scheme can fund practical support such as:

• Specialist equipment or software, including voice recognition tools
• Adaptations to equipment you already own
• Travel costs if you cannot use public transport
• A support worker or job coach
• Mental health support through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service

How much you receive depends on your circumstances. The grant covers costs beyond what would be considered reasonable for any employer or self-employed person to pay. Self-employed applicants may be asked to contribute towards certain costs, though this is assessed individually and support extends beyond the first year of trading.

To apply, contact Access to Work through GOV.UK. You will need to explain how your disability or health condition affects your work and what support would help. Disability Employment Advisers at Jobcentres can also guide you through the application process.

Check the current eligibility rules and funding limits on GOV.UK, as these can change.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Grants and awards for disabled entrepreneurs

Some charities and organisations offer grants or awards aimed specifically at disabled business owners.

The Blind Business Association Charitable Trust has historically supported visually impaired entrepreneurs with small grants or practical assistance. Contact them directly to check what support is currently available, as programmes can change.

Other organisations worth exploring include:

• The Prince's Trust, which runs enterprise programmes for people aged 18 to 30 and offers start-up support and mentoring
• Leonard Cheshire, which occasionally runs business support programmes for disabled people
• Local enterprise partnerships and councils, which sometimes have disability focused business grants

Eligibility criteria vary widely. Some grants target specific disabilities, age groups or business sectors. Others focus on particular regions of the UK. Verify each opportunity's criteria against your own circumstances before applying.

You may also be eligible for tax reliefs or other fiscal support that could complement grant funding. Check GOV.UK for current schemes available to disabled entrepreneurs.

Finding and applying for funding

Contact your local council or business advisory service directly to ask about small business grants. Many councils have schemes for disabled residents or those facing barriers to employment, and staff can point you to relevant opportunities that may not be obvious on their websites.

GOV.UK has a business finance support finder that lets you search for grants, loans and other funding based on your location and circumstances.

When applying for any grant, be clear about what you need the money for and how it will help your business. Keep records of quotes and costs, as most funders will want to see evidence before releasing money.

If your disability makes the application process difficult, ask the funding body about reasonable adjustments. This might include alternative formats such as large print or audio, extended deadlines, phone applications instead of written forms, or support from an adviser to complete paperwork.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Grant Eligibility Finder lets you tell us what you need funding for and we will match you with the types of UK grant most likely to accept your application. Try it now →