A DWP scheme is being cut back. The Department for Work and Pensions' Access to Work scheme - which provides employment support for people with disabilities, health conditions or mental health problems - is set to be withdrawn from certain roles. The scheme, which aims to reduce the number of people forced out of work due to health issues, offers a range of support. This covers everything from grants for practical accommodations to specialist software and communication assistance during job interviews.
However, changes to the Mental Health Support Service last August mean that 542,840 working Brits may no longer be eligible for this help. From April 1, all civil servants will be excluded from mental health support under the scheme. Civil servants are defined 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). Public sector employees, including NHS employees, police and local government employees, are not considered civil servants under the scheme, and will still be eligible for the Mental Health Support Service.
Official say the mental health wing of the DWP support is set to align with other areas of Access to Work by making civil servants ineligible. At present, civil servants with a disability or health condition, other than mental health, are advised to seek this support through their employer and contact them directly if necessary, rather than through the Access to Work scheme.
