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Written question asked by Rosie Duffield (Independent (affiliation)) on Friday, 26 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 June 2026. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Access to Work Programme: Medical Examinations

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out how his Department defines the distinction between enabling support and replacement support for the purposes of Access to Work assessments.

Answer

Enabling support and replacement support may be provided by a Support Worker job aide when a customer is unable to do part or all of their job because of their disability, illness or health condition.

If a customer is performing the job role, making decisions, and instructing the Support Worker this is deemed to be enabling. In cases where enabling support from a Support Worker job aide is awarded to a customer, this is up to a maximum of 100% of the customer’s contracted hours.

If a customer is not performing the job role, making decisions, and instructing the Support Worker, this is deemed to be replacement. Case Managers must identify the tasks the Support Worker job aide will do and decide how many hours can be supported. A maximum of 20% of the customer’s contracted hours can be supported by the Support Worker job aide.

More information can be found on the Access to Work Staff Guide.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
13518
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Medical examinations Access to work programme
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk