The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has given an update on delays in assessing applicants for support through the Access to Work scheme, which helps people with physical or mental health conditions find or stay in work. Claimants can receive a grant to pay for practical support to help them work, as well as other support to help them apply for jobs and manage mental health.
Parliamentary question on processing times
Alex Brewer, Liberal Democrat MP for North East Hampshire, asked in Parliament: “To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average processing time is for Access to Work applications from self-employed people; how many self-employed applicants are currently awaiting a decision; and what steps he is taking to reduce delays in the assessment and approval of Access to Work support.”
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, responded: “DWP recognises that while customers greatly value the support provided by the Access to Work scheme, they also have concerns about the scheme’s timeliness, consistency and appreciation of the complex barriers faced by people with disabilities in a modern workplace. The Department is addressing these points in order to deliver an improved scheme that will better help disabled people start and stay in work.”
Steps to reduce the backlog
Efforts to achieve this include the recruitment of 480 additional staff to help reduce the Access to Work backlog by September 2027. These staff will receive extensive training to support them to handle complex applications. The Department is also continuing to engage with a range of stakeholders to develop a richer understanding of the challenges disabled people face.
The response added: “The feedback from this engagement will be used to shape improvements to the scheme that better reflect the current needs of customers. Any improvements to Access to Work will be announced in advance of their implementation.”
No data on self-employed processing times
The Department does not hold information on the average processing time for Access to Work applications from self-employed customers. Access to Work management information does not differentiate by employment status once applications have been allocated to a Case Manager, so average processing times for self-employed customers are not available.
The DWP explains that Access to Work can help people get or stay in work if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. Support depends on individual needs and can include a grant for practical support, help with managing mental health at work, and money to pay for communication support at job interviews. A grant can help pay for specialist equipment or software, support workers such as sign language interpreters or job coaches, and travel costs to work if public transport cannot be used. It can also fund adaptations to a vehicle or changes to a workplace, including an applicant’s home.
The DWP adds: “If you get an Access to Work grant, it will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back. You or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and claim them back later.” People can check eligibility and apply for a grant through the scheme.
