Chapter 2: Eligibility Conditions and Service Requirements
Updated 28 August 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-mhss-provider-guidance-for-contracts-effective-on-or-after-20-august-2024/chapter-2-eligibility-conditions-and-service-requirements
Eligibility conditions for AtW MHSS
2.01 Access to Work Mental Health Support Service (AtW MHSS) is available for people in work who have a mental health issue or condition that impacts their ability to work.
2.02 DWP will check the eligibility of all individuals applying for AtW MHSS.
2.03 To receive AtW MHSS support, eligibility conditions must be satisfied. More information regarding eligibility can be found at
2.04 Support is also available for opportunities that will help disabled people get ready for employment such as apprenticeships, supported internships and work trials.
2.05 Participants on the Work and Health Programme (WHP), WHP Pioneer, Restart and Fair Start Scotland are not eligible to use the AtW MHSS. It is the responsibility of the Providers of those provisions to source and fund all appropriate mental health support for Customers who require it whilst on these programmes.
2.06 Civil Servants will no longer be eligible to use AtW MHSS from 1 April 2025. This is in line with the eligibility requirements for the rest of Access to Work. 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).
2.07 Public Sector Employees/Public Servants, such as NHS England Employees, police, local government employees and employees of NDPBs are not civil servants and therefore will remain eligible for AtW MHSS.
AtW MHSS Service Requirements
2.08 The Service requirements for AtW MHSS include:
- provision of work-related support by a suitably experienced professional to help the Customer to maintain sustainable employment
- the service to Customers will be split into two parts:
- the initial support period will be a period of 182 calendar days from the date of submission of an approved Support Plan, as specified by DWP; and
- following this there may be a 91 calendar days sustainment period. This is viewed as a light touch support period, during which Providers can, with the Customer, decide the extent of engagement, if any
- provision of a Support Plan, 6 Month Report and Exit Report (the AtW “MHSS Report”) within the timescales specified by DWP
- signposting Customers to other appropriate external support provisions; and
- provision of relevant management information, as specified by DWP
2.09 The MHSS is a confidential service which is delivered at no cost to the Customer or their employer and can be delivered with or without the support/knowledge of the Customer’s employer.
Length of the Services
2.10 Subject to any possible extension of the Referral Period, the last referral date for the AtW MHSS will be 19/08/2028. You will be required to continue providing the Services under your MHSS Contract for up to 332 calendar days after the end of the Referral Period.