Returning to the Office? The Best Back to Work Schemes for People Living With Arthritis in the UK

Returning to work with joint pain is exhausting. It shouldn't feel impossible. Whether you are coming back after sick leave or starting a new job, there is free support in the UK to help you plan, pay for equipment, build your confidence and know your rights.

Step 1: Plan what you need

Before you meet your manager or HR, write down which tasks are hard and what would help. Two free tools make this easier:

• The Arthritis UK Work Adjustment Plan helps you think through your rights, adjustments and how to manage flare-ups at work (Arthritis UK, n.d.a).
• The DWP Health Adjustment Passport records the support you need and can help with an Access to Work application (DWP, 2026).

Step 2: Talk to your employer

You do not have to tell your employer about your arthritis. But if it affects your work, telling them allows them to make adjustments. Arthritis UK notes that raising a problem early is much better than letting it reach a crisis point (Arthritis UK, n.d.b).

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make reasonable adjustments so disabled workers are not at a substantial disadvantage (GOV.UK, n.d.a). Examples include:

• a phased return, with shorter hours at first
• working from home during flare-ups
• a fixed desk instead of hot-desking
• specialist equipment

Separately, every employee can ask for flexible working, such as different hours or places of work, from their first day in a job (GOV.UK, n.d.b).

Template: asking for an occupational health assessment

Dear [name],

I am writing to formally request an occupational health assessment. I live with arthritis, which affects [for example, typing, sitting for long periods or my commute]. I would like advice on reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 to support my return to work.

I would be grateful if you could arrange this and confirm the next steps.

Step 3: Get help paying for it

Access to Work is a government grant for support beyond what your employer must provide. You do not pay it back and it does not affect your other benefits (GOV.UK, n.d.c). It can pay for things like ergonomic chairs, voice recognition software, support workers, and taxis if you cannot use public transport.

Access to Work	Who can apply
Age and location	16 or over, living and working in England, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland has its own Access to Work (NI) scheme (nidirect, n.d.)
Type of work	Paid jobs, apprenticeships, work trials, internships and self-employment (turnover of at least £6,500 a year). Not voluntary work (GOV.UK, n.d.c)
Timing	You can apply if you are in work, about to start, or returning to work

Benefits while working: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is not means-tested, is tax-free, and you can get it whether or not you work (GOV.UK, n.d.d). If you get Employment and Support Allowance, you can usually do permitted work of under 16 hours and up to £203.50 a week (GOV.UK, n.d.e). See our guide to claiming financial support for arthritis.

Step 4: Build your confidence

• Scope Support to Work: free for disabled people aged 16 and over across the UK. You get up to 20 weeks of one-to-one support with CVs, interviews and talking to employers about your health, then up to 26 weeks of support once you start work (Scope, n.d.).
• WorkWell (England): free early help from health and employment services, which may include physiotherapy and advice on adjustments. It is expanding to cover all of England (DHSC and DWP, 2026).
• Supported employment: local job coaches can help you find and settle into work. The British Association for Supported Employment has more information (BASE, n.d.).
• Volunteering: a low-pressure way to rebuild stamina, test adjustments and get a recent reference. Arthritis UK recruits volunteers across the UK (Arthritis UK, n.d.c), and NCVO can help you find other roles.

Key insight: you do not have to work it out alone

Call the free Arthritis UK helpline on 0800 5200 520 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) for advice on work, benefits and adjustments. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also find the NRAS booklet I want to work useful (NRAS, n.d.).

Your next steps

1. Download the Work Adjustment Plan or Health Adjustment Passport.
2. Send the template above to your manager or HR.
3. Apply for Access to Work as soon as you know your start or return date.

References

Arthritis UK (n.d.a) Work Adjustment Plan. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/work-benefits-and-finances/work-and-arthritis/work-adjustment-plan/

Arthritis UK (n.d.b) Disclosing your condition. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/information-and-support/living-with-arthritis/work-benefits-and-finances/work-and-arthritis/disclosing-your-condition/

Arthritis UK (n.d.c) Volunteering. Available at: https://www.arthritis-uk.org/get-involved/volunteering/

BASE (n.d.) British Association for Supported Employment. Available at: https://www.base-uk.org/

DHSC and DWP (2026) WorkWell. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workwell

DWP (2026) Health Adjustment Passport. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-adjustment-passport

GOV.UK (n.d.a) Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers

GOV.UK (n.d.b) Flexible working. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/flexible-working

GOV.UK (n.d.c) Access to Work: eligibility. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility

GOV.UK (n.d.d) Personal Independence Payment (PIP): how much you'll get. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/pip/how-much-youll-get

GOV.UK (n.d.e) Employment and Support Allowance: working while you claim. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim

nidirect (n.d.) Access to Work (NI): practical help at work. Available at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/access-work-practical-help-work

NRAS (n.d.) I want to work. Available at: https://nras.org.uk/resource/i-want-to-work/

Scope (n.d.) Support to Work. Available at: https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/support-to-work/

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Important medical disclaimer

The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, psychiatrist or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Never start, stop or change a prescribed medicine without speaking to your prescriber first.