Disabled individuals in the UK are facing an alarming average wait of over 100 days for essential support through the Access to Work programme, a recent report has highlighted. This distressing situation has prompted a leading disability charity to condemn the findings, which reveal the significant hurdles disabled people encounter when seeking employment assistance.
A Growing Demand for Support
The Access to Work scheme, which has been assisting individuals with physical or mental health conditions since its inception in 1994, has seen a dramatic rise in applications. According to the National Audit Office (NAO), requests for support are expected to soar from 76,100 in 2018/19 to approximately 157,000 by 2024/25. This increase is attributed to a greater awareness and identification of mental health conditions and neurodiversity within society.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which oversees the scheme, acknowledges a lack of clarity regarding the reasons for this surge. However, their data indicates a notable rise in applicants citing mental health issues, with figures jumping from 11,200 (30 per cent of all recipients) in 2018/19 to 37,900 (51 per cent) anticipated by 2024/25. Furthermore, there has been an uptick in applications from individuals classified as having “other” conditions, which may include those who are neurodivergent.
The Impact of Delays
As of November 2025, the average processing time for Access to Work applications had reached a staggering 109 working days, a significant increase from 66 days just a year prior. This is far beyond the DWP’s target of completing applications within 25 days. Such delays are not just inconvenient; they have serious repercussions for both applicants and employers.
The NAO report highlights that numerous organisations have reported job security issues arising from these delays, with some individuals even losing job offers due to the slow processing of their support applications. The situation is equally troubling for employers, particularly small businesses, who have expressed concern over cash flow issues stemming from late payments associated with the scheme.
Government Response and Future Outlook
In response to the growing demand and the resulting backlog, the DWP has increased staffing levels dedicated to the Access to Work programme, which has led to a rise in expenditure on personnel from £12.6 million in 2021/22 to £24.4 million in 2024/25. However, the NAO cautions that the backlog is unlikely to diminish significantly in the near future while awaiting the government’s consultation on the programme’s future direction.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, emphasised the critical role the Access to Work scheme plays in helping disabled individuals secure and maintain employment. He noted that improving the administration of the current system is essential for addressing the backlog and maximising the programme’s effectiveness.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for the DWP to resolve existing data gaps and enhance guidance for case workers. He stressed that the scheme must adapt to the rising demand to ensure it continues to provide meaningful support to those who rely on it.
Voices from the Community
James Taylor, director of strategy at the disability equality charity Scope, articulated the challenges faced by disabled individuals seeking to enter or remain in the workforce. He described the report as revealing “the brutal reality” of navigating employment with disabilities, citing instances where clients of Scope have had to forfeit jobs due to delays in receiving Access to Work support.
Taylor called for immediate action from the government to rectify the situation, urging them to gain a deeper understanding of the scheme’s impact not only on disabled individuals but also on employers and the broader economy.
Why it Matters
The Access to Work scheme is vital for fostering an inclusive workforce, yet the current delays and inefficiencies threaten the livelihoods of disabled individuals across the UK. As the need for support grows, it is imperative that the government take decisive action to streamline processes and ensure that those in need are not left waiting in limbo. This situation not only affects the individuals relying on timely assistance but also has broader implications for employers and the economy, underscoring the urgent need for reform in support systems for disabled workers.
