Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate the Department has made of the average waiting time to see a disability employment adviser.

Disability Employment Advisors (DEAs) work alongside Jobcentre Work Coaches to support claimants - providing expert knowledge on how to support customers who have a health condition or disability and building the skills and capability of Work Coaches. DEA’s can also directly support customers with health conditions and disabilities where this can benefit the customer. Every Work Coach in every Jobcentre has access to a DEA.

We do not collect data on average waiting times, however, customers will have regular contact with their Work Coach who can case conference with a DEA to discuss how best to support the customer and arrange access to the DEA at the earliest availability.