Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has considered the potential merits of extending the access to work scheme to fund train tickets.

Access to Work contributes to the disability-related extra costs of working faced by disabled people and those with a health condition in the workplace that are beyond standard reasonable adjustments. It does not replace an employer’s duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments.

The grant provides personalised support and workplace assessments, travel to work, support workers, and specialist aids and equipment.

Access to work funding is used to support people’s ability to travel to work, it can fund a support worker, such as a travel buddy, to help on train journeys. Access to Work pays for the practical support that enables a person with eligible disabilities or health conditions to travel.

Access to Work wouldn’t normally consider making payments to a customer if they can use suitable public transport but consideration will be made on disability, illness or health condition that may improve or get worse over time.

The support that a customer will receive from Access to Work is dependent upon their needs and circumstances at the time they make an application. Case managers will use the current guidance to ensure Access to Work principles are considered when making a decision on support.