Working With Me via Access to Work
If you’re reading this, you’re working with me through Access to Work (run by the Department for Work and Pensions), which means you’re self-funding the coaching initially and then reclaiming the costs from the DWP.
In simple terms, you pay me directly each month and then claim the cost back from the DWP.
This quick guide explains how that works in practice — including what you’ll pay, when you’ll claim, and when you’re likely to receive reimbursement.
Example Scenario
To make this easy to understand, here’s a simple example:
- 12 x 1 hour ADHD coaching session package
- Fortnightly sessions delivered over 6 months
- 6 monthly payments of £290
- Coaching starts in March
How the Process Works
1. You pay one month in advance
Payment is made in advance for that month’s coaching.
In this example: On 1st March you pay for March’s sessions.
2. Coaching takes place
Your sessions happen during that month.
In this example: Your coaching sessions take place throughout March.
3. I upload your claim documents
On the first Sunday of the following month, I upload your invoice and timesheet to your personal portal. This is everything you need to submit your claim.
In this example: Your March documents are uploaded on Sunday 5th April.
4. You submit your claim
You download the documents from your personal portal and upload them to your DWP account to submit your claim.
In this example: Let’s assume you submit your claim on the same day as I upload the information to your personal portal on 5th April.
5. The DWP reimburses you
The DWP states payments are processed within 15 working days (around 3 weeks).
In practice, this typically ranges from 3–6 weeks, and it can vary throughout the year.
In this example: You would most likely receive reimbursement for March between: 26th April – 10th May
What This Means For You Financially
There is approximately an 8–10 week gap between when you pay me and when you receive reimbursement.
- You will pay for April before you receive reimbursement for March.
- Depending on timing, you may also have paid for May before March’s reimbursement arrives.
In this example:
- 1st March → £290
- 1st April → £290
That means you will have paid £580 before receiving your first reimbursement.
You need to have this buffer available while waiting for repayment.
Indicative Reimbursement Timeline
These dates are indicative only and are based on you submitting your claim as soon as information is available and also based on a 3–6 week processing time by the DWP
Important Things to Know
My guarantee to you is:
- Documentation will be clear & accurate and will track your sessions against your package.
- Uploads will always available by the first Sunday of each month, even when I'm on leave.
I cannot control:
- When, or if, you submit your claim - that part is up to you. The sooner you submit it, the sooner you’ll get reimbursed.
- How long the DWP takes to process your payment once you've submitted your claim. They specify 15 working days (3 weeks), but in practice this varies from 3-6 weeks.
My Boundaries Around Payments
I don’t issue documents before sessions take place
Sessions can move or change.
Issuing paperwork in advance creates confusion and unnecessary admin to reconcile later.
I’ve done this for clients before to help them out, but my experience has shown this causes confusion and additional work.
I don’t provide proforma invoices
The DWP will only approve two sessions in advance.
That would require coaching to stop and start while waiting for payment, disrupting momentum and adding executive-function load for both of us.
As a micro-business, this isn’t a workable model.
I don’t accept direct payment from the DWP
While the DWP sometimes suggests paying providers directly, I don’t accept this arrangement.
As a small business — with many clients funded through Access to Work — I cannot absorb 8–10 week payment delays after delivering services.
I don’t want you paying the ADHD tax.
I give you everything you need in a clear and concise way so that it's as easy as possible for you to reclaim the costs of your coaching.
I will also help you as much as I can if you're stuck or unsure what to do.
At the same time, I run my business in a way that protects my energy, sustainability and financial stability. That means having clear boundaries around payments, invoicing and DWP processes.
Everything about how I work is thought through and intentional.
It’s designed to support you in the best way possible, but without compromising me in the process.
I call this putting myself in the picture.
As a recovering people pleaser, this is something I've had to work hard at in my own coaching post-diagnosis.
And it's something that often comes up for my clients too.
