DWP support to be cut back for up to 542,840 people

A DWP scheme is to be cut back for some people. The Access to Work scheme is usually provided in collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions and a person’s employer - but changes on the way will reduce the number of people who can claim one element of it.

The programme was initially set up by the government to lower the number of people being forced out of employment due to a disability, health condition or mental health problem despite wanting to work. Access to Work can provide a range of support from grants to pay for practicable accommodations to specialist software and communication assistance during job interviews.

The support a person gets largely depends on what their individual needs are as the scheme has different arms with varying eligibility and support margins. For example, the Mental Health Support Service is a specific arm of the Access to Work scheme that provides free, confidential assistance with or without their employer’s knowledge.

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However, a number of changes to the Mental Health Support Service last August will mean 542,840 working Brits may no longer be able to access this help. As of April 1, all civil servants will no longer be eligible for mental health support under the scheme.

The scheme defines civil servants as: “Employees of a government department, executive agency, Arm’s Length Body, the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales and some Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs).”

The move will align the mental health wing of this DWP support with the other areas of Access to Work, officials say. Currently, civil servants with a disability or health condition are advised to get this support through their employer and contacting them directly if needed, not through the Access to Work scheme.

It’s likely that people receiving mental health support in the service will have to do the same from the summer. This is specifically applicable to Access to Work contracts that were made effective on or after August 20, 2024.

Civil servants were phased out of other Access to Work support in April 2022. At the time it was noted that government departments were responsible for arranging assessments and adjustments for their civil servants.

Additionally, the contracts agreed up to March 31, 2022 continued until the end of the award period. It’s expected that this same grace period until the end of their contract could be available to civil servants with contracts awarded before August 20, 2024.

Public sector employees, or public servants, including NHS employees, police and local government employees are not counted as civil servants under the scheme. They’ll still be eligible for the Mental Health Support Service as a result.

Additionally, people on the Work and Health Programme, WHP Pioneer, Restart and Fair Start in Scotland are not eligible for the Mental Health Support Service. People living in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man also aren’t eligible for any aspect of the Access to Work scheme.

To be eligible for Access to Work, barring the job interview support, you must be aged 16 or over living in England, Scotland and Wales and in paid work, or about to start or return to it within 12 weeks of applying. You must also have a physical or mental health condition or disability that will impact your work or your ability to get to or from work.

For example, it can include conditions like autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety or depression. On the physical side, it includes support for permanent conditions like being hard of hearing or using a wheelchair as well as temporary issues like a broken leg. More information about Access to Work and its eligibility requirements can be found on the Gov.uk website.