The average wait for a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Access to Work decision reached 100.9 days in the last operational year, according to new figures confirmed in Parliament.
Access to Work provides grants and support to people with physical and mental health conditions to help them enter or remain in employment. Support can fund practical workplace adjustments, specialist equipment, sign language interpreters, job coaches, and travel costs.
Waiting times have risen steadily over the past five years, prompting a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney, who asked for the average decision wait time each year between 2015 and 2026.
Steady rise in waiting times
Minister of State Sir Stephen Timms responded on Monday, confirming the increase. The average wait stood at 28.3 days in 2021/22, rising to 57.8 days in 2022/23. It fell marginally to 45.1 days in 2023/24, before climbing to 67.1 days in 2024/25 and reaching 100.9 days in the most recent year.
Sir Stephen said: "Since the start of the 2026/27 operational year, Access to Work has made positive progress in reducing outstanding work. As of October 1, 2026, using the full reporting period from April to August 2026, we have achieved a net backlog reduction of almost 3,000 cases, specifically 2,980."
Backlog reduction plans
He added: "With recruits now arriving and needing to be coached and trained for the next six months, we expect the backlog to stabilise before falling in the spring of 2027. Overall, the programme remains on track, and our assessment is that Access to Work continues to be on course to clear the backlog by September 2027."
Access to Work support is tailored to individual circumstances. Grants can cover practical workplace support, mental health assistance at work, and communication support during job interviews. Funding may also go towards specialist equipment or software, support workers, travel costs when public transport is not viable, vehicle adaptations, and workplace adjustments, including at an applicant's home.
The DWP states: "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."
Those who believe they may qualify are encouraged to verify their eligibility before submitting an application for an Access to Work grant.
