New restrictions to Access to Work awards are limiting how people can use their support, including fixed weekly hour caps with no flexibility. If you’re affected, you may be able to ask for changes and take steps to protect flexibility when renewing your award.
If your AtW award has new restrictions, you can ask for them to be reviewed, and take steps at renewal to keep the flexibility you need.
If you've been affected by problems with AtW — reduced awards, new restrictions, long delays — writing to your MP is one of the most direct things you can do. The Government is currently considering reforms to AtW, and your MP needs to hear from people with real experience before those decisions are made.
In December 2025 and January 2026, RNID and DeafATW surveyed 358 deaf, deafblind people and people with hearing loss about their recent experiences of AtW. Over a third of BSL users had their award reduced at renewal despite no change in their circumstances. Half received no written explanation.
AtW has changed how it sets rates for support workers. Case managers now use regional cost bandings instead of always asking for quotes. If the rate you are offered does not cover what your BSL interpreter actually charges, you have the right to ask for more. Here is how to do it.