Many people are having their awards reduced at Renewal. Access to Work describes these as "Operational Corrections."
When you first applied for Access to Work, or if you changed your job, you probably filled in a form describing what tasks you need a support worker for, such as interpreting in meetings, phone calls, training, and so on. This is called a Support Worker Record of Tasks (SWROT).
DeafATW believes that Access to Work may be using old SWROT forms when people apply for a Renewal. If the original form seems to show someone needs less support than their current award, the award is then cut. We do not know for certain that this is happening, but the information has been shared with us.
If your role has changed since you first applied, for example if you have more responsibilities, attend more meetings, or manage staff, your original form won't reflect what you actually need now. This could mean your award is reduced based on out-of-date information.
DeafATW and RNID have raised this with the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, and asked him to confirm whether AtW is using SWROT forms in this way. We haven't yet had a reply.
What you can do
When your Renewal is coming up, DeafATW suggests you contact the AtW helpline or your AtW Case Manager and say:
"My Access to Work Renewal is coming up. I need to know whether my Support Worker Record of Tasks (SWROT) will be looked at as part of this process. If it will, you will need an up-to-date version that reflects my current role and responsibilities before any decision is made.
Please tell me how I can send you an updated SWROT for you to consider as part of my Renewal, and confirm that it will be taken into account in the decision."
Keep a copy of this message and any response you receive. If your award is reduced without you being given the chance to update your SWROT, or if an updated form is not taken into account, this record may support any Reconsideration Request or Formal Complaint.
Please let DeafATW know what response you get.