On this page you will find information about:
- What counts as a disability and your rights as someone who is living with a disability or condition.
- Support programmes which could help you to gain and keep a job.
- Guidance for people in the Armed Forces community who are living with a disability or condition.
Searching and applying for work can be very stressful, and as someone who is living with a disability, injury or long-term condition, you may face extra barriers to employment.
Applying for jobs is a very time-consuming process and knowing all of your options could help to support your improvement journey.
Both physical and mental health conditions can be considered a disability.
- Learn more about when a mental health condition becomes a disability on the GOV.UK website.
- Read about the definition of a disability in the Equality Act 2010 on GOV.UK.
If you already have a job and have become disabled, it is useful to know about your rights and what reasonable adjustments your employer must make.
Returning to work after an employment gap
Anyone can have a gap in their employment whether they are living with a disability or condition, because of an injury, or they have taken a career break to care for children. If you now feel ready to return to the workplace, we have online guidance which may be able to support you when looking for work, applying for jobs and returning to the workplace.
Read support and guidance to help you when returning from a career break here on the RBL website.
Support schemes to help those who are living with a disability or condition to find work
The schemes below have been put in place by the government to support those who are living with a disability or health condition to gain and keep employment.
Applying for a job - GOV.UK
GOV.UK has online guidance to support you when searching and applying for jobs as someone who is living with a disability or long-term health condition.
The advice given includes:
- Getting help from your local Jobcentre to help you find roles and gain new skills.
- Information about the Access to Work Scheme, which could help if you need communication support for your job interview.
- Support to help you find and keep a job through the Work and Health Programme.
- What to do if you are asked questions about your health or disability during a job application or interview.
- What to do if you are treated unfairly when you apply for a job.
Disability Confident Employers - England, Scotland and Wales
The Disability Confident scheme is challenging employers to think differently about disability and change how they recruit, retain, and develop the roles of people who are living with a disability in their employment.
When you are looking for work, you can check job adverts and application forms for the 'disability confident' symbol. This means that the employer is committed to employing people who are living with a disability, and you will be granted an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job.
Find out more about the Disability Confident Employer scheme on GOV.UK.
Condition Management Programme (CMP) - Northern Ireland
The CMP supports those who are struggling to work due to a health condition to progress find and stay in employment.
Support and advice are delivered by healthcare professionals to help you:
- gain a better understanding of the condition that you are living with
- improve your ability to complete daily tasks
- become more confident, and
- increase your opportunities of returning to work and staying in employment.
Additionally, advice, education and support are offered if you are dealing with anxiety, stress, low mood, depression, pain and fatigue.
You may be able to receive support regardless of whether you need help with your physical or your mental health.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
If you are eligible for ESA you may be able to receive financial support for living costs and help to get you back into work, if you can.
To be eligible for ESA you need to:
- Be under state pension age.
- Have a disability or long-term health condition which affects your ability to work.
- Worked as an employee or have been self-employed.
- Have paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually within the last two to three years. National Insurance Credits also count.
Read more about eligibility and applying for ESA in Northern Ireland on the nidirect website.
Access to work - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
The Access to Work programme was established to help people who are living with a mental or physical health condition/disability to find and stay in employment.
The support that you could access includes:
- a practical support grant to help with costs for specialist equipment, support workers, travel, and adaptations.
- help with managing your mental health to help you stay in work, and
- communication support if you need a support worker to help you at a job interview. This includes those who have a physical or mental condition which affects their ability to communicate.
The support available to you will depend on your needs.
Find out more about the Access to Work programme and the support you could receive on GOV.UK.
Service Leavers Adjustment Passport - for those who have served or are transitioning
A Service Leavers Adjustment Passport (SLAP) can support those who are living with a disability or health condition when finding and maintaining employment, an apprenticeship or work experience.
A SLAP outlines your individual needs for accessing your workplace or work, whether that is physical adaptations to a work environment or considerations to work practices to support people living with mental health conditions, or someone who is neurodivergent.
The document belongs to you and cannot be shared with others without your permission.
The Open University - The Disabled Veterans Scholarship Fund
The Open University (OU) works with the MOD to support those who are currently serving, service leavers and ex-service personnel.
The Disabled Veterans Scholarship Fund offers 50 scholarships annually to those who are living with an injury or disability that was the result of or gained during service.
The scholarships can apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Additionally, those who receive the scholarship will be able to access specialist careers and disability support.
Read more about the scholarship, eligibility and how to apply on the Open University website.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
DSA is a payment which is awarded to support those who are living with a mental health condition, long-term illness or other disability to pay for study-related costs. DSA does not need to be paid back and it can be received in addition to student finance. The allowance is needs-tested, meaning that what you could receive will not be affected by your household income.
Examples of what DSA can be used to pay for include:
- Specialist equipment to support studying.
- Non-medical helpers such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or specialist note taker.
- Extra travel to attend your course or placement because of your disability.
- Other disability-related study support, for example, having to print additional copies of documents for proof-reading.
Find out more about Disabled Students Allowance, eligibility and how to apply in:
HM Forces Railcards and Disabled Persons Railcards.
As a member of the Armed Forces community and/or someone who is living with a disability or medical condition, you could be eligible for a railcard.
The railcards allow you to save up to a third on rail travel in certain countries.
Find out more about Railcards that could help you save money on travel here on the RBL website.
Support from other organisations
The organisations below can offer support with your job search or employment if you are living with a disability or medical condition.
For anyone in the Armed Forces Community
Jobcentre Plus - England, Scotland, and Wales
If you are living with a disability or health condition you may be able to access assistance and advice from your local Jobcentre Plus.
You will be able to access assistance with:
- preparing for work
- recruitment
- interview coaching, and
- confidence building.
Read more about how the Jobcentre Plus could support you on their website.
Jobs and Benefit Offices - Northern Ireland
Jobs and Benefits Offices in Northern Ireland can support you to access benefits, support, training, and job opportunities.
Work Coaches
Work Coaches at the Jobs and Benefit Offices can offer information and advice on a range of topics including:
- job applications, CV creation, and interview preparation
- benefit eligibility and applications
- support accessing training, work experience and job programmes, and
- help if you have been made redundant.
Additionally, your local Jobs and Benefit Office may be able to support you to access a digital device, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone, and improve your digital skills.
Get in touch
Visit the Nidirect website to find your local Jobs and Benefits Office.
National Careers Service - UK
The National Careers Service is a government run website which provides support with career, learning and training for employment.
The National Careers Service has detailed guidance that may be able to support your career journey as someone who is living with a disability or health condition.
Read about education advice for those who are living with special educational needs or a disability.
Skills assessment
If you are thinking of starting, returning, or even progressing in your career you may find it helpful to use the National Careers Service's online skills assessment tool.
The tool can help you identify skills, interests and personal motivations and help you figure out how to use them in employment.
Get in touch
Career support from nidirect - Northern Ireland
The nidirect careers department offers advice on a range of topics including:
- learning your career options
- choosing or changing careers
- applying for jobs, and
- preparing for job interviews.
Find out more about the support offered on the nidirect website.
Find your local careers office on the nidirect website.
Get in touch
Careers webchat is available from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
My World of Work- Scotland
The My World of Work website is Scotland's career information and advice website. The online tool allows you to access a range of online guidance about education opportunities for your career, finding jobs and the application process.
Learn more about the advice available on the My World of Work website.
Service leavers, ex-service personnel and veterans
Transitioning into civilian employment is a big life change for every service person and their family. My World of Work has specific support available for the Armed Forces leavers and ex-service personnel to help you:
- identify and build upon key skills
- access training to support your employment journey
- improve your reading, writing or number skills
- speak to an advisor to help you figure our transferable skills and explore new career options
- search for jobs
- write your CV and make applications.
Get in touch
Visit the My World of Work website to find out more or to speak to a careers advisor.
Careers Wales
Careers Wales is an online platform which can support you to plan, prepare and find employment. Additionally, Careers Wales can support you to apply for learning opportunities such as apprenticeships, courses and training.
- Take the Career Match Quiz to find out what jobs may match your skills and interests on the Careers Wales website.
- Take the Careers Wales Buzz quiz to find out your personality type and what jobs might suit you on their website.
Get in touch
Visit the Careers Wales to find your local venue or contact them.
For ex-service personnel, veterans and some family members.
The Poppy Factory - England and Wales - For ex-service personnel and adult family members who support or care for members of the Armed Forces Community.
The Poppy Factory supports those who have served in HM Armed Forces, including Reserves, and family members to access employment support.
Additionally, if you are living with a mental or physical health condition or disability you can access extra support from the organisation. The condition or disability does not need to be linked with your time in service.
Through The Poppy Factory you could receive support with:
- matching your skills and goals with job opportunities
- writing a CV, job applications and preparing for interviews
- training and qualification opportunities, and
- overcoming barriers in the workplace.
Get in touch
Visit The Poppy Factory website to register online and find out more.
Walking With The Wounded
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - for ex-service personnel and veterans
Walking With The Wounded has programmes to support ex-service personnel with physical and mental health conditions to regain their independence and secure sustainable employment.
The charity provides personalised support through their Employment Advisors to help ex-service personnel build confidence through practical skills and experience.
Find out more about employment support from Walking With the Wounded on their website.
Mission Motorsport
England and Wales - ex-service personnel & service leavers
Mission Motorsport supports the recovery, rehabilitation and employment journey of service leavers, ex-service personnel, and veterans.
The charity hosts events, training, and employment opportunities in motorsports to support the wellbeing and careers of service leavers and ex-service personnel who have been affected by military operations.
More information
As a person who is living with a disability, you do not have to seek disability specific support and may be eligible for support from other organisations. Read more guidance here on the RBL website and our Knowledge Base.
- Finding a job as someone in the Armed Forces community.
- Finding a job as a veteran or service leaver.
- Employment support for families of serving and ex-service personnel.
- Education and training support for the Armed Forces Community.
- Becoming self employed or starting your own business.
- Start-up-loans for ex-service personnel and their families.
