In development. Free when it launches.
Answer a few questions. Arthur drafts your Access to Work application.
A free tool for self-employed disabled people. Arthur, our AI assistant, asks about your work and what you find hard, then drafts your answers to the application form using only what you told him.
ArthurWhat does a normal working day look like for you?
YouI do bookkeeping for small businesses from home. Mostly reconciling accounts and VAT returns, and I see a couple of clients a month at their offices.
ArthurIs there anything in that day you find hard because of your condition?
YouTyping for long stretches makes my hands seize up, usually after about an hour. And phone calls wipe me out because I'm deaf in one ear.
Drafted answer for the application form
How do your conditions or disabilities affect you at work?
I run a bookkeeping business from home, reconciling accounts and preparing VAT returns. After about an hour of typing, my hands seize up. I am deaf in one ear, and phone calls with clients leave me exhausted.
Matching underlines show which of your answers each part came from792 of 1000 characters left
Built for people who work for themselves
Self-employed applicants are asked for different evidence from employees, and get the least free help with it. Arthur works out what you'll need for your situation, whether you're already trading or about to start.
- Sole traders
- Partnerships
- Limited company directors
- Freelancers and contractors
Your evidence list
Example for a sole trader who's been trading for a few years
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
- Your National Insurance number
- Your last tax return or accounts
- Recent invoices or contracts
How it works
At your own pace. You can stop at any point and come back.
Check you're likely to be eligible
A few quick questions about your work and where you live.
Get your evidence list
What to gather for your type of self-employment.
Describe your working day
Plain questions, one at a time, about what you do and what you find hard.
Review your drafted answers
A drafted answer for each question on the application form, within its character limit.
Prepare for the adviser's call
Likely questions, with your answers ready.
Why you can trust its answers
Arthur does more than tidy your wording. Arthur asks the questions an adviser would ask, knows what evidence self-employed applicants are asked for, fits each answer to the form's character limit, and prepares you for the call.
Official guidance
Built on the published GOV.UK Access to Work guidance and the questions on DWP's current application form.
Real experience
Shaped by hands-on experience of helping self-employed people through their own Access to Work applications.
Careful testing
Before launch, Arthur will be tested on hundreds of example applications, with the results checked by a person.
What you can rely on
Arthur uses only your own answers
Your needs are described exactly as you describe them, and you check every answer before you use it.
Your answers stay on your device
They're saved in your own browser and used only to write your drafts. You can delete them whenever you like.
You stay in control
AtW Prep is an independent tool, separate from the Department for Work and Pensions. You send your application yourself, on GOV.UK or by calling the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.
Questions, or want to help test Arthur?
We'd especially like to hear from people who've applied while self-employed.
[email protected]