DWP launches Access to Work call for evidence

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a call for evidence in relation to the Access to Work scheme — meaning the time for Disabled people to have their say has is now.

Soaring rejection rates

Access to work has come under fire in recent months. Most recently, an MP forced the DWP to admit that the number of rejections for the scheme had increased dramatically since Labour took office. The figures show that denials of the vital support had increased by over 20 percent this year. In total, the scheme rejected one in three claims.

As the Canary previously reported:

Access to Work is, in theory, supposed to provide financial support to disabled people to help them get into and stay in work. The fund can be used towards specialist equipment, transport, and support workers. However, as the Canary has reported, the programme has, for a long time, been failing disabled people, and the department is quietly cutting it without any consultation and little transparency.

Of course, this means disabled people are struggling to get into work because of their accommodations can’t be met.

Additionally, in November, we reported that:

The founder of an organisation that supports thousands of disabled people in navigating Access to Work has come forward about the underhanded process by which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is making “drastic cuts” to the crumbling scheme.

Importantly, the National Audit Office (NAO) was already investigating the DWP over its Access to Work failures.

This was after the DWP attempted to quietly push through severe cuts to the Access to Work scheme. These would limit funds for specialist equipment. It would also create stricter rules on support worker rates of pay and on awarding job aid support workers.

The changes make it harder for disabled people to find work. Additionally, though, many employed disabled people will find it much harder to keep their jobs.

A failing service

As of September, Access to Work had a backlog of 62,000 disabled people in need of support. This didn’t include those already in the system who have to reapply yearly or every two years.

Another 33,000 people are waiting to be paid for support which Access to Work has already approved. This backlog is leading to people losing jobs at a time when the government is laying into disabled people — who they claim would rather be on benefits than work.

The government claims this backlog is due to increased demand for Access to Work. It has risen 83% since 2021/22. However, this makes sense because the government has attempted to get more disabled people into work.

Given the scheme’s continued failures, it’s more important than ever for disabled people to tell the DWP what they think. Labour continues to target disabled communities with unproven work programmes and benefit cuts in its frenzy to force disabled people into unsuitable work.

A fully-funded and functioning Access to Work programme would go a hell of a lot further to help disabled people find and stay in safe, suitable, and rewarding work. Now it’s time for disabled people to make it clear that this scheme is the main way the government can support them, which it would do if it were serious about helping disabled people.

The Canary highly recommends that you get involved.

Follow this link to submit your own evidence.

Featured image via UK Parliament