New DWP update with 'action being taken' as claimants 'wait 100 days for decision'

People waiting for a decision from the Department for Work and Pensions as to whether they will get vital support have been given an update. It relates to the Access to Work scheme, which provides support to people with physical and mental health conditions to either get into work or stay in work. It comes in the form of grants and other support to help with things such as practical workplace adaptations or to pay for a sign language interpreter, for example. However, delays in getting a decision on support have been climbing over the past five years. Sarah Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, asked for an update on this in Parliament. She said: "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions , what was the average wait time for a decision to be made following an application for Access to Work each year between 2015 and 2026." Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, Minister of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Labour MP for East Ham, responded on Monday. He confirmed that wait times had been climbing. He explained that in 2021/22 the wait was 28.3 days. The following year it was 57.8. In 2023/24 it dropped slightly to 45.1 days, but the next year was up to 67.1 days. Last year it had reached 100.9 days. 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. "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 is designed to help people secure or maintain employment if they have a physical or mental health condition or disability. The assistance provided depends on individual circumstances. It can include a grant to cover practical workplace support, help with managing mental health at work and funding for communication support during job interviews. A grant can cover items such as specialist equipment or software, support workers including sign language interpreters or job coaches and travel expenses to work when public transport isn't an option. It can also contribute towards vehicle adaptations to assist people in getting to work. Additionally, it could finance workplace modifications, which may include 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 if they’re eligible and then apply for an Access to Work grant .