The DWP scheme can provide grants worth up to £69,260 a year to disabled workers, but faces scrutiny from experts over awareness and application issues

The DWP has come under scrutiny regarding one of its payment schemes that can be worth several thousands of pounds. Policy experts recently addressed MPs about individuals with a disability or health condition who are struggling to access the support to which they are entitled.

One particular area of concern highlighted was Access to Work. This is a DWP scheme providing grants to assist people with a disability or medical condition in paying for support they require to begin or remain in employment.

The most recent DWP statistics reveal that during the 2024/2025 financial year, grants were distributed to 74,190 customers, with an average annual payment of £4,000. You can actually receive considerably more through the scheme, up to £69,260 annually.

The funding can cover a broad range of items you may require. These can include aids and equipment in your workplace, modifications to equipment, additional travel expenses, an interpreter, or other support you need at a job interview to help you communicate, reports the Mirror.

If you have a mental health condition, the grant funding can also be used towards developing a support plan for you, which can include flexible working arrangements or supplementary training. Those receiving Universal Credit may qualify for the support.

Who could be eligible for Access to Work grants?

Information on the Government website states: “Universal Credit is a single benefit paid to those in or out of employment. If you are claiming Universal Credit and have a disability or health condition, you will be able to apply for Access to Work for any paid work you do.”

Individuals claiming PIP (Personal Independence Payment) may also wish to verify their eligibility. PIP assists with the additional expenses associated with living with a long-term health condition or disability, meaning receipt of this benefit could help demonstrate that you have a qualifying health condition for Access to Work.

Receiving disability benefits is not a requirement to qualify. The guidance cautions that you may not be eligible if you claim one of these benefits:

• Incapacity Benefit
• legacy Employment Support Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Income Support paid because of illness
• National Insurance credits.

Despite the substantial grants available, a recent Work and Pensions Committee meeting heard that numerous employers remain unaware of the scheme. Chris Russell, senior policy manager at the Federation of Small Businesses, said awareness of the programme among small business employers is “not high and definitely could be higher”.

He said: “The support that Access to Work provides can often make the difference between them staying in work and leaving the labour market. The main problems I see are the waiting times and the application process. The support that the scheme provides is fantastic, but if the department could address waiting times and do something about the application process, it would be most beneficial because, yes, in general it is a great scheme.”

The specialists also cautioned that some individuals receiving the assistance have seen their grant awards cut. James Taylor, executive director of Strategy, Impact and Social Change at disability charity Scope, recounted the experience of a woman called Jamila, who had previously been using Access to Work to fund taxi journeys and 24 hours per week of support worker assistance.

Following several months off work due to illness, she did not use much of her allocated funding. Consequently, her support worker provision was slashed to eight hours weekly and her taxi allowance was similarly reduced.

Mr Taylor said: “She cannot work without the right level of support. She works in the NHS and does loads of site visits. The reduced funding means she can only go to two sites, but she has to visit up to 50 for her job. She has now handed in her notice. Official or unofficial, that sort of change has an impact on disabled people. These are people who want to be in work, and that is what we are hearing.”

Tom Pollard, head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at mental health charity Mind, also told the MPs: “I have heard isolated anecdotal evidence of reductions in awards or a more stringent application process. The latest stats that came out last week showed a lower number of approvals compared with last year, but I have not heard anything robust on that.”

Upcoming changes to Access to Work

The most recent figures from the DWP reveal that 56,000 individuals had Access to Work approved in the financial year ending March 2025. This represents a 12 per cent decrease compared to the previous year, when 63,450 people were approved.

A spokesperson for the DWP stated: “Access to Work supports thousands of sick or disabled people to start or stay in work, but the scheme we inherited is failing employees and employers. That’s why we’re working with disabled people and their organisations to improve it – ensuring people have the support, skills, and opportunities to move into good, secure jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”

The DWP announced it is reviewing “all aspects” of the scheme following a consultation which concluded in June 2025. Case managers at the DWP have received additional training to assist them in making better and more consistent decisions about people’s awards.

The group indicated this might mean some award amounts are altered when they are renewed. However, this does not signify a change in the policy of the scheme.